The Arizona State Sun Devils are gearing up for what promises to be an intriguing encounter as they face the Houston Cougars on October 25. After a potentially grueling showdown against Texas Tech, the Sun Devils are looking to make a statement on their home turf.
The Houston Cougars, under head coach Willie Fritz, showed moments of overachievement last season. Despite their 4-8 finish, including a tough three-game skid to close out the season, they managed to nab impressive wins against Big 12 rivals TCU, Utah, and a ranked Kansas State squad. The buzz around campus is palpable, with the school's basketball dominance complementing a renewed sense of hope on the gridiron.
Last season, one of the evident sore spots for the Cougars was the quarterback carousel, which saw no less than five players taking snaps and a frustrating tally of 17 interceptions as a collective. This time around, however, they’ve nailed down consistency in the form of a solid starting quarterback.
Conner Weigman, the former Texas A&M standout, brings a promising track record despite injuries that have hampered his past seasons. With 16 touchdowns and minimal interceptions to his name prior to last season's sideline stint, his potential impact is significant for Houston’s offense.
As for Arizona State, weapons like Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson promise to be impactful in any game, but this matchup may be a highlight reel for former Army running back Kanye Udoh. Expect Jaren Hamilton to be pivotal in stretching the field, setting the stage for Arizona State's offense to exhaust the Cougars over four quarters. Offensive Coordinator Marcus Arroyo’s strategic creativity could very well tip the scales in favor of the Sun Devils, despite the defensive improvements Houston has made through the transfer portal.
Predicting a win for the Sun Devils seems reasonable, given their home advantage and arguably more complete roster. Yet, underestimating Fritz's knack for building strong programs could be a costly mistake.
Houston might just be the surprise package in the conference this season. Keep an eye on this clash for a dose of October football drama, with Arizona State aiming to reinforce their position in the 2025 schedule and beyond.
