The No. 24 Arizona State Sun Devils, riding high after a monumental upset, face a formidable challenge at home against the unranked but impressive Houston Cougars in a Big 12 showdown that could reshape the conference standings and define both teams’ seasons.
The college football landscape is buzzing as the No. 24 Arizona State Sun Devils prepare to host the Houston Cougars in a highly anticipated Big 12 conference clash this Saturday night in Tempe. Just last week, Arizona State was unranked, a forgotten team, before shocking the nation with a commanding victory over then-No. 7 Texas Tech. Now, they must quickly pivot their focus to a Houston team that, despite not being in the Top 25, boasts an impressive 6-1 record and a 3-1 mark in conference play, mirroring the Sun Devils’ own league record.
Sun Devils’ Surge: Riding the Wave of a Top-10 Upset
The Sun Devils‘ stunning 26-22 win over Texas Tech marked their first triumph against a Top 10 opponent since 2019, injecting a new level of confidence into the program. Head coach Kenny Dillingham, known for his pragmatic perspective, emphasized the fickle nature of collegiate success, stating, “In this world, you go from in the castle to in the outhouse overnight.” This mindset underscores the importance of maintaining focus despite their newfound ranking.
A major factor in Arizona State‘s recent success was the effective return of quarterback Sam Leavitt. After being sidelined with a foot injury during the team’s 42-10 loss at Utah, Leavitt responded with a career-high 319 passing yards against the Red Raiders, completing 28 of 47 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions. His command of the offense will be crucial against Houston.
Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson also played a pivotal role in the upset, hauling in 10 passes for 105 yards and a score. His stellar performance earned him co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. However, Tyson finished the game limping due to a leg injury, making his status for Saturday’s contest uncertain—a significant concern for the Sun Devils’ offensive attack.
Houston’s Quiet Dominance: A Formidable Foe
Despite their unranked status, the Houston Cougars (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) present a formidable challenge. Coach Willie Fritz has established a reputation for building successful programs, a track record that spans Georgia Southern, Tulane, and now Houston. His overall record of 81-63 across these three institutions speaks to his consistent ability to win. Dillingham acknowledged this, noting, “At the end of the day, their head coach has won a lot of games for a long time at a lot of places. They just win games by playing good defense, complementary offensive football, possessing the football and not hurting themselves.”
The Cougars‘ defense is a particular strength, allowing just 19.0 points per game, which ties them for 27th nationally. This unit has been disruptive all season, accumulating 17 sacks and eight takeaways, proving their ability to force mistakes and stifle opposing offenses.
On offense, Houston is coming off a dramatic 31-28 home victory over Arizona, secured by a last-second 41-yard field goal from Ethan Sanchez. Quarterback Conner Weigman was a standout performer, earning co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors alongside Tyson. Weigman became the first Cougars quarterback since Kevin Kolb in 2003 to record three passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and at least 95 yards on the ground in a single game, finishing with a career-high 98 rushing yards. The Cougars’ offensive line also earned recognition as the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week, not allowing a single sack and paving the way for 232 rushing yards against Arizona—the most for the program in a Big 12 game, as detailed in an official Big 12 Conference report.
A Look at the Historical Context and Big 12 Standings
Saturday’s game marks the first meeting between Houston and Arizona State since 1990, when the Cougars defeated the Sun Devils 62-45 in Tokyo. Historically, the series has seen varied streaks, with Houston currently holding a two-game winning streak in their head-to-head matchups since 1989-1990. Arizona State, however, boasts a longer historical winning streak of five games between 1971-1982.
From an all-time record perspective, Arizona State holds a more decorated history. The Sun Devils have an all-time record of 649-427-24 (.601 winning percentage), ranking them 26th of 134 programs. They have claimed 18 conference championships and participated in 34 bowl games. In contrast, Houston‘s all-time record stands at 476-402-15 (.541 winning percentage), placing them 70th of 134. The Cougars have 11 conference championships and 30 bowl game appearances. Both programs are striving for their first National Championship, with neither having recorded a title to date.
This weekend’s contest carries significant weight for the Big 12 standings. Both Arizona State and Houston entered the weekend just one game behind co-leaders BYU and Cincinnati, making this matchup a direct determinant of which team stays firmly in contention for the conference title. For more on Willie Fritz’s detailed coaching history and philosophy, fans can refer to ESPN analysis on his strategic approach.
The Battle Ahead
Houston coach Willie Fritz expressed his team’s focus, stating, “Our No. 1 goal this week is beat Arizona State; they’ve got a great ballclub. I’ve got a ton of respect for them. We’ve got to be all-in with our preparation this week in order to be successful. We’re playing on the road. They have a great environment there. We’ve got to be all locked in on them.”
The clash of recent momentum, defensive prowess versus dynamic offense, and the strategic minds of Dillingham and Fritz sets the stage for a compelling showdown. With conference standings on the line, fans can expect a hard-fought battle that will undoubtedly impact the trajectory of both teams’ seasons.
