5 Big 12 Games That Present a Challenge for Arizona State

5 Big 12 Games That Present a Challenge for Arizona State originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Arizona State is coming off a conference championship season in 2024 and they return 17 starters in 2025. This includes a Heisman contender at quarterback in Sam Leavitt and a dangerous weapon on the perimeter in wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

The Sun Devils will also enjoy continuity on their coaching staff, led by head coach Kenny Dillingham.

This season, the Sun Devils will face five opponents ranked among the top 40 teams in America, according to college football’s most insightful analyst, Phil Steele.

Each of these opponents returns key starters at the most important position on the field, quarterback.

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At #13 Baylor Bears, Sep. 20

This will be only the second meeting between the two teams in school history. The last time they met, ASU won 34-13 way back in 1990. The Baylor Bears are coming off an 8-5 record in 2024 and return 18 starters. Baylor will be led on the field by QB Sawyer Robertson, who passed for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. They also return a 1,000-yard rusher in Bryson Washington.

Washington will face a Sun Devils defense that allowed Texas just 1.77 yards per carry and 1 rushing touchdown on 30 carries in the 2OT playoff loss to the Longhorns a season ago.

The Bears welcome back linebacker Keaton Thomas, who racked up 114 tackles a season ago.

At #18 Utah Utes, Oct. 11

The Utes posted a rare losing season as they finished 5-7 last season. It was their only losing season in the last nine years. Utah will have a different quarterback under center as New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier will call the plays at the line of scrimmage this season.

Dampier accounted for over 3,900 yards and 31 scores a season ago. He averaged 7.52 yards per carry for the Lobos and adds a dual-threat skill set that the Sun Devils will have to plan and scheme for.

The Utes have a block of granite on their offensive line, 6-foot-5, 304-pound tackle Spencer Fano. Fano was a second-team All-American in 2024 and posted a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 93.0, the highest of all tackles in the FBS. When it comes to blocking for his running backs, Fano graded out at 93.6, the best in the country.

However, Fano will be challenged by the Sun Devils rushing defense. That unit was tops in the Big 12 against the run and allowed only 112 yards per game on the ground.

The Sun Devils own a 23-12 record over the Utes, but Utah has won four of the last five meetings over ASU.

At #21 Iowa State Cyclones, November 1

The Cyclones won 11 of 14 games last season and lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship Game, the only meeting between the two schools. Returning QB Rocco Becht racked up over 3,800 yards of total offense last season and threw at least one TD pass in all 14 games a season ago.

All-conference defensive back Jeremiah Cooper returns to lead the Iowa State pass defense.

Texas Tech Red Raiders, Oct. 18

The Red Raiders posted the top transfer portal class in the nation, which is why they return 21 starters in 2025. Veteran QB Behren Morton returns to run the offense after throwing for over 3,300 yards and 28 TDs last season. Neither ASU nor Texas Tech has won a road game against the other in the history of the matchup.

#36 TCU Horned Frogs, Sep. 26

The Horned Frogs are coming off a 9-4 record in 2024 and return some talent, especially at quarterback. Josh Hoover threw 27 TDs last season and completed 66.5 percent of his throws.

Talented defender Bud Clark returns for another season. From his safety position, Clark recorded 67 tackles, three INTs, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.

Arizona State has the talent and the coaching to survive this murderers’ row of conference opponents. Dillingham will have his Sun Devils ready to execute their game plan each week as they prepare for another full-on assault of the Big 12.

Related: Arizona State Unlikely to Return to CFP in 2025, per ESPN FPI

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.