Big 12 Battles That Matter Most to Arizona State

The Sun Devils are on an off week, but still have chances to make a dent in the Big 12 standings.

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Kenny Dillingham's Arizona State Sun Devils sit at 6-3 going into their second and final off week of the season.

A spot in the Big 12 title game is still attainable, but the Sun Devils need games to start going their way to have a shot. Arizona State on SI covers key games in the conference this week below.

Houston @ UCF

UCF has a real shot to play spoiler in year one of the reunion with Scott Frost here, as the Golden Knights have the potential to hand Houston their third conference loss and gift the Sun Devils a definitive lead in the conference standings moving ahead.

The Cougars and Knights are set to play on Friday night.

This is the most vital game of the week for the Sun Devils - as the team likely needs BYU to take care of Texas Tech to have a real shot to return to the Big 12 title game.

The Red Raiders finish the season with likely victories over UCF and West Virginia - this is the last real opportunity for Arizona State to regain an advantage in the standings.

Texas Tech goes into this game with QB Behren Morton back in the lineup, along with home-field advantage. BYU freshman QB Bear Bachmeier has a tough matchup ahead against Texas Tech's stingy defense as well.

Colorado @ West Virginia

These are the next two opponents for the Sun Devils - this is the real implication rather than positioning for standings.

Colorado is coming off two consecutive hapless performances in Deion Sanders' third season, while West Virginia knocked off Houston last week. Scotty Fox Jr. has emerged as the likely future at the quarterback position for the Mountaineers, and head coach Rich Rodriguez has the team competing.

Kansas @ Arizona

Arizona is set to travel to Tempe to face Arizona State in three weeks in a season where QB Noah Fifita has seen a resurgence.

The Wildcats are set to face a pointed challenge against a Kansas team that is headlined by star QB Jalon Daniels - Arizona's performance in this game will be a major point of interest this Saturday.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and three major takeaways following a gutsy win over Iowa State here

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