Fresh off a 24-20 loss to Mississippi State, Arizona State will look to rebound in a Week 3 matchup with Texas State. Quarterback Sam Leavitt struggled in last week’s defeat, finishing with just 82 passing yards and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Texas State comes in at 2-0 after notching wins over Eastern Michigan and UTSA.
ASU will take on the Bobcats on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max at home. The Sun Devils open as 17.5-point favorites with the over/under set at 61.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Jordyn Tyson (WR, ASU)
Despite Leavitt’s struggles last week, wideout Jordyn Tyson remained a bright spot, hauling in six receptions for 68 yards, which was more than half of Leavitt’s completions. Regarded as one of the top receivers in the Big 12, Tyson now has a chance to deliver another breakout performance, reminiscent of his 141-yard effort in Week 1. Texas State’s defense has allowed 31.5 points per game so far, and with this being the Bobcats’ first matchup against a Power Five opponent in 2025, Arizona State’s offense, led by Tyson, should have a chance to find its rhythm early.
Beau Sparks (WR, Texas State)
This matchup features several dynamic playmakers, including Texas State wide receiver Beau Sparks, who has been outstanding through two games. In Week 1, he posted seven receptions for 82 yards and four touchdowns, then followed it with a five-catch, 155-yard performance and another score in Week 2. Going up against an Arizona State defense that still has areas to clean up, Sparks will likely need another huge outing for the Bobcats to have a shot at the upset.
Two Key Storylines
How Will Sam Leavitt Respond?
Arizona State’s offense is commanded by Leavitt, and last week against Mississippi State, he had one of the roughest outings of his young career. The sophomore threw for under 100 yards for just the second time in his last two seasons, leaving the Sun Devils searching for consistency on offense. This week’s matchup with Texas State gives Leavitt a chance to reset against a defense that gave up 27 points against Eastern Michigan and 36 points against UTSA. For ASU to avoid an upset, Leavitt has to find rhythm early, connect with Tyson downfield, and eliminate the turnovers that stalled drives a week ago. A strong bounce-back performance could restore confidence in both Leavitt and the offense heading into conference play.
Brad Jackson Looks to Power Texas State Against ASU
Going up against what could be the toughest defense Texas State sees all season, quarterback Brad Jackson will need to push the ball downfield while protecting possessions if the Bobcats hope to pull off the upset. Jackson has thrown for over 210 yards in each of the first two games with five passing touchdowns, and he’s added another dimension on the ground with 84 rushing yards and two scores on 22 carries. His dual-threat ability will be central to Texas State’s game plan in Tempe.
Prediction: Arizona State 42, Texas State 14
Arizona State is coming off a disappointing loss to Mississippi State, but returns home with an opportunity to reset. If Leavitt takes care of the football and establishes rhythm with Tyson, the Sun Devils’ talent edge should carry them through. Texas State can make it competitive early, but over four quarters, ASU’s physicality should win out. This is the kind of matchup where Arizona State needs to show resilience and handle business at home. Anything less than a convincing win would raise more questions than answers heading into the rest of the season.
