Facing a must-win scenario in mid-October is not typical, but the Big 12 conference has a ranked logjam at the top. BYU, Texas Tech, Cincinnati and Utah are all nationally ranked and all four are just above Arizona State in the rankings. Arizona State welcomes No. 7 Texas Tech to Tempe providing an opportunity to affect the Big 12 standings.
A Sun Devils win will not catapult them to the top spot, but it would mean Texas Tech is no longer unbeaten in conference play. If Utah could also pull an upset over BYU, it would leave Cincinnati as the lone unbeaten team in Big 12 conference play, provided Cincinnati beats Oklahoma State. For Arizona State to have any chance of defending their Big 12 title, they need to start moving up the standings soon.
Arizona State is currently 4-2 and 2-1 in conference. Their only Big 12 loss to this point was a one-sided affair to Utah, 42-10. Saturday’s opponent Texas Tech has only faced one nationally ranked opponent, and it was Utah, who they beat 34-10. Texas Tech through six weeks is averaging almost 48 points per game while only giving up an average of 12 points per game. The matchup against Texas Tech would be a challenging task in an ideal situation, but Arizona State comes into this game less than healthy.
Injuries mount as Dillingham prepares for Texas Tech
Offensive lineman Ben Coleman is out for the remainder of the season after suffering an arm injury against Utah that will require surgery. Zyrus Fiaseu is also out for the rest of the season due what was described as a “lower-body injury”. According to AZCentral head coach Kenny Dillingham, Fiaseu has already undergone his season-ending surgery. Safety Xavion Alford continues to be ruled out with his return “not expected anytime soon”. RB Kyson Brown has been ruled out for “at least three weeks”. According to ESPN, QB Sam Leavitt was listed as probable on the team’s availability report as he battles back from a foot injury.
A loss to Texas Tech would not end their Big 12 title chances, but it would make them more difficult. Through their first four games of conference play last season, the Sun Devils were also 2-2. They were able to make a run to the Big 12 title due in some part to a favorable schedule. Arizona State’s remaining schedule includes games against Houston, Iowa State, West Virginia, Colorado and Arizona. All five of which are below them in the current standings.
Kenny Dillingham has the Sun Devils in a much better position lately than they have been in a very long time. While the big loss to Utah is likely not sitting well with Sun Devil fans, the program is in a good, but not great situation heading into this game. Win and stay alive in the Big 12 conference race. Lose and fall further behind the pace. This game as well as the BYU vs Utah game could noticeably change the lay of the land at the top of the Big 12 standings.
Arizona State vs No. 7 Texas Tech starts at 4:00pm eastern and will broadcast live on Fox.
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