Tempe – No. 20 Arizona State football (8-3, 6-2 Big 12) enters the final week of the regular season hosting No. 25 Arizona (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) in the Territorial Cup.
Despite enduring a plethora of injuries and losing its 10-game home winning streak, the Sun Devils still have a chance to return to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the Big 12 Championship Game.
First, ASU will need to defeat its rivals from down south, the Arizona Wildcats, and then receive help from other Big 12 teams.
“They’re (Arizona) playing as good of football in our league as anybody,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said. “The thing about them is they won 10 games two years ago. Their quarterback (Noah Fifita) is the same quarterback. Their free safety (Dalton Johnson), who is the most valuable player on their defense, is the same kid. … They have the core of that team is still there.”
The Wildcats’ premier pass defense ranks first in the Big 12, averaging 159.7 passing yards per game. Arizona boasts a strong backend, as the veteran secondary leads the Big 12 with 16 interceptions.
Arizona junior defensive back Jay’Vion Cole, senior defensive back Dalton Johnson and Treydan Stukes all boast at least three interceptions each this season.
Dillingham holds a 1-1 record all-time in the Territorial Cup: The Wildcats mauled the Sun Devils 59-23 in Tempe in 2023. Sparky returned the favor in Tucson last year, scorching Arizona 49-7.
When asked to describe their interpretation of the rivalry, senior quarterback Jeff Sims said pure hate, while junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson mentioned real hate in his response. While Sims awaits his first start against their in-state rivals, Arizona junior quarterback Noah Fifita has started the last three games.
“He’s back, operating in a system, having a lot of confidence throwing the ball and running around,” ASU defensive coordinator Brian Ward told reporters on Tuesday. “He knows the strengths and weaknesses of this offense, in terms of his personnel, and he plays to their strengths.”
Fifita ranks top three in passing yards (2,677) and touchdowns (25) in the conference, while limiting his interception total to five.
To combat Fifita’s flourished ability through the air, Ward’s defense, which has totaled 33 sacks, slotting them second in the Big 12, will look to cause chaos in the pocket.
Senior linebacker Keyshaun Elliot and senior defensive lineman Justin Wodtly combined for four sacks last week in Boulder, Colorado. The Sun Devils will lean on their recent success in rushing the passer on Friday.
On the other side of the coin, the Maroon and Gold’s offense is coming off a 355-yard ground-game performance at Colorado. The conference’s third-best rushing attack will be led by junior running back Raleek Brown, who rushed for a career-high 255 yards last week.
With Thanksgiving revolving around the Territorial Cup through Dillingham’s eyes, he sticks to the usual meal on the holiday: turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and apple or pumpkin pie. What’s needed on his pies? An elite level of whip cream.
With former running back Cam Skattebo in attendance to serve as an honorary captain, senior night at hand and the 99th edition of the Territorial Cup, Dillingham looks to put the whipped-cream topping on an eventful home slate this season.
“I’m grateful for just this team, the passion they play with, they find ways and just the brotherhood the team has,” Dillingham said. “I think it’s special, and it’s just fun to be around guys who love football.”
Kickoff of the 99th Territorial Cup is set for 7 p.m. MST at Mountain America Stadium.
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