No. 8 BYU is heading into Saturday’s matchup with Arizona State looking to reset after an upset loss at Central Florida, and Kalani Sitake made it clear the Cougars are treating the Sun Devils like a serious challenge.
The game comes with a familiar edge. This is the first meeting between ASU and BYU since their 2024 classic, and now the two meet again in Provo, Utah with likely conference implications hanging over the late-season showdown. BYU will have the home-field advantage, but the Cougars know Arizona State arrives with momentum after what Sitake called a strong weekend.
“Looking forward to getting back to work and focusing on the next challenge, which is Arizona State here at home. And we're excited about that game.
I've known Kenny Dillingham for a long time and have a lot of respect for him and the way he runs things. They have a really good team.
You look at what they were able to do last weekend. So they have some momentum, and we've got to gain some.
So it helps being at home, but looking forward to the matchup, and looking forward to seeing how we can grow and progress through this week and through the preparation, and get ready for this matchup.”
BYU players echoed that same respect for the Sun Devils, while also bringing up the loss in Tempe from a couple of years ago. One Cougar said the team still remembers it as “a heartbreaker,” adding, “we still have that chip on our shoulder.” Another followed with a similar line, saying, “they got the best of us in a heartbreaker, and so that still is in the back of our minds.”
The focus this week, though, is less about the past than about getting the details right. BYU called Arizona State “a good team,” “fundamentally sound,” and “well coached,” while stressing that the Cougars need a clean week of practice and sharp execution.
There is also the question of Arizona State quarterback Jake Fette, a true freshman with limited film available. BYU didn’t make much of that unknown, instead emphasizing preparation and trust in the defensive staff.
“I think it's just not really being able to see the things that he does throughout the week. But I know our coaches are going to put us in the right position to be able to help us to make plays.
And from what I've heard, he's a pretty good quarterback. I heard he led his team down to win the game this past week, so we're going to prepare like any other week, and he has our full attention.”
Another Cougar said Fette’s presence at Arizona State alone is enough reason to take him seriously: “I think he's (Jake Fette) at Arizona State for a reason. He's at a Power Four school for a reason, so he's going to be a good athlete.
He's going to be ready to come in and obviously play a great game. I think we're just going to keep doing what we do as a defense, and kind of finishing all the plays that we were supposed to make this past Saturday (vs.
UCF), and so I think they're going to be ready to come in and give us a good game, and we're going to be ready to do what we do to them. So it'll be fun, man.
Obviously, two years ago, the thing that happened with Arizona State-trying to capitalize on that one too. So yeah, looking forward to it.”
BYU and Arizona State are set for a 12:45 p.m. AZT kickoff on Saturday.