Ranking 2026 ASU Football Matchups by Anticipation Level

The Sun Devils have several highly anticipated games next season - what matchup takes the top spot?

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) runs downfield after a catch against BYU safety Raider Damuni (3) during the first half at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 23, 2024. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Many are already looking ahead to the 2026 Arizona State football season following an 8-4 campaign - the Sun Devils are facing a taxing 12-game slate in the follow-up to 2025.

Arizona State on SI ranks the games from 12-to-1 in terms of anticipation with months to go until the new season kicks off.

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona State Sun Devils helmet at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

12. Morgan State

Morgan State is an FCS opponent that is set to replace Bowling Green, which backed out of the previously scheduled contest a few months ago.

The Sun Devils will play an underrated Group of Five program at home in the aftermath of making trips to College Station, Texas and London, England.

10. UCF

The allure of traveling to Orlando for the first time as a program is fascinating, although the degree of which UCF is competitive is still unclear.

Baylor is a mess under Dave Aranda after finishing the 2025 season with a 5-7 record.

8. Oklahoma State

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs for a touchdown as Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Kobe Hylton (0) defends in the second half of the college football game at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma on Nov. 2, 2024. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oklahoma State might have promise after hiring North Texas's Eric Morris as head coach - this has potential to be an interesting matchup in Tempe.

7. Colorado

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes make the return trip to Tempe after losing 42-17 in Boulder on November 22. Redshirt freshman Julian Lewis is also set to be the full-time starting player at QB next season.

6. Kansas State

Kansas State is in a precarious position after reports that head coach Chris Klieman is reportedly retiring. Collin Klein is an interesting replacement hire, and Avery Johnson is set to enter his senior season with high expectations.

5. Kansas

Oct 5, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The London game that is scheduled for September 19, the Sun Devils may not be facing a top-tier Big 12 contender, but Kansas should remain fairly competitive under Lance Leipold, as they have been for the last several seasons.

4. BYU

The 11-1 Cougars being the fourth most anticipated matchup is absurd - as the budding in-conference rivals are set to host the Sun Devils in 2026 for the first time since 2021.

3. Texas A&M

Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) rushes for a touchdown on a keeper during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at NRG Stadium. The Aggies defeated the Sun Devils 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Arizona State continues the string of facing SEC foes in home-and-home settings. The Aggies are set to make the College Football Playoff this season, which makes the early-season game a major test.

2. Texas Tech

Arizona State returns to Lubbock next season after defeating them in Tempe - proving to be their only loss of the regular season. Texas Tech continues to be a budding juggernaut in the Big 12 - this is a battle of heavyweights.

Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A general view of a Texas Tech Red Raiders helmet on the bench in the second half during the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

1. Arizona

Arizona State will likely close the 2026 regular season on the road in Tucson against their bitter rival - seeking to bring the Territorial Cup back to Tempe and hopefully seal a spot in another Big 12 title game.

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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