There’s a full slate of eight games on the docket this weekend, but there’s a clear winner for Big 12 Game of the Week with No. 14 BYU (9-1) heading to Tempe to take on No. 21 Arizona State (8-2).
While Arizona State technically needs some things to go their way in addition to winning out to get to the Big 12 Championship, a win over BYU on Saturday would give the Sun Devils a 93.55% chance of going to Arlington — granted they can beat Arizona in Week 14.
That being said, getting past BYU this week is going to be a tall task. The Cougars are coming off their first loss of the season and have looked like the best overall team in the Big 12 for the majority of the season.
So, who’s it going to be? The Heartland College Sports staff discusses in this week’s roundtable. BYU vs. Arizona State — who you got?
Pete Mundo: BYU
I think there has been a massive overreaction to each team’s Week 12 game. Arizona State got a great win in Manhattan, while BYU lost at home to Kansas. But BYU’s defense actually played really well on defense until the fluke/special teams play in the final minutes that led to KU’s win. Meantime, K-State has been regressing in recent weeks. I am not taking anything away from Kansas or Arizona State, but I feel like the whole world is riding the Arizona State train right now. And while being him is valuable, BYU should be re-focused, their pass defense should keep ASU in check, forcing the running game to carry the load. If it becomes a low-scoring, ground-and-pound game, I like BYU in a 20-17 kind of game.
Bryan Clinton: Arizona State
The general public will look at this game and see BYU as the team with the highest ranking and the best record, and they will assume the Cougars will win this game. However, anyone that’s watched Arizona State play this season knows that BYU is going to have a tough time on the road here, hence the Sun Devils being favored by a field goal.
Cam Skattebo is the most underrated player in the country — he should be a Heisman contender — and he will play a major role in this game. While BYU has been great on defense this season, they’ve yet to see a player of Skattebo’s ilk. I see this game being back-and-forth all the way to the end, but I’m taking the Sun Devils to win and put themselves in the driver’s seat to make the Big 12 Championship.
Matthew Postins: Arizona State
Just like we all drew it up, right? This game has such significant meaning to the entire conference this late in the season it sort of boggles the mind. So who wins?
I think it’s a case of momentum. Right now, Arizona State has it. BYU doesn’t. Sometimes that little thing means everything. Both teams are a feel-good story, so you really can’t lose. But one of them has to. I think Arizona State wins. It’s in Tempe. Give me the home team. Remember — BYU has played cold weather games each of the past two contests. That contrast to an afternoon game in Tempe is going to be significant.
Derek Duke: Arizona State
I feel like over the last few weeks, I’ve been slowly buying in on Arizona State, and this weekend, it’s time for me to go all in on the Sun Devils. No disrespect to BYU but they have been playing with fire lately and they got burned last weekend. Offensively, they aren’t the same team they were a few weeks ago.
As for Arizona State, I feel like they are starting to peak. Cam Skattebo is one of the best backs in the country and even when he doesn’t have his best day, he opens up the offense so much when he’s on the field. And the guy who is benefiting from that is quarterback Sam Leavitt who continues to prove himself and get better. Also, I love the way their defense is playing right now too. This Kenny Dillingham coached team is playing their best football in the most important month of the season.
Joe Tillery: BYU
One thing I value in college football is the adjustment to adversity. Call it a lame take or a moral victory or what have you, but I think that BYU gets back on the right track vs. Arizona State. The Sun Devils are coming off of a win over a suspect Kansas State team, while BYU lost to one of the hottest teams in all of college football, the Kansas Jayhawks.
I love both head coaches in this game and expect both teams to be prepared, but u;ultimately, I think the idea of coming off a loss after nine perfect weeks is going to be the best tool on either side to focus on. Give me BYU over ASU.
