BYU football heads down to Tempe, Arizona, to face the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday.
It's a game with huge implications as both teams are fighting for a spot in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 7 in Dallas.
The Cougars had a lot to say in their media press conference Monday in regards to preparing for the trip.
BYU, which dropped seven spots in the AP poll from No. 6 to No. 14 Sunday, squandered its chance to remain undefeated in a 17-13 heartbreaker to Kansas in Provo last Saturday. BYU’s offense struggled to put points on the board in the loss.
“Too many mistakes to overcome,” coach Kalani Sitake said of the result. “We want to improve, that means myself included as the head coach.”
In Saturday’s game, BYU had five red zone trips and only came away with 13 points.
“The key to execution is limiting mistakes. When you get in the red zone you gotta score touchdowns,” said Sitake. “We have to finish drives. We’ll get there. I feel good about the matchup this week.”
The most agonizing play of all may have been the pooch kick to set up a Kansas touchdown, proving to be the difference.
“Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way,” said defensive lineman John Nelson.
BYU faces a familiar foe in Arizona State. The two teams most recently met in Provo in 2021 as ranked opponents. Fans may remember one particular play from that game.
ASU defender Merlin Robinson intercepted BYU’s pass and was racing down the sideline, poised to give the Sun Devils the lead. BYU running back Tyler Allgeier chased Robinson down and punched the ball out of his hands, forcing a fumble that BYU recovered at the BYU 15. This play saved the game for the Cougars, who went on to win 27-17.
Though the Cougars have won the last three matchups, they trail in the overall series, 20-8. Arizona State will be looking to exact revenge in a high-stakes game.
“Arizona State is a well coached team with physical backs and a line that blocks well,” said Sitake. “Their defense is dangerous, upfront and opportunistic. …Everyone gives a lot of attention to the offense but their defense can play.”
The Sun Devils give up an average of 22.8 points per game. Their run defense has proven to be stout, only surrendering an average of 122.6 yards on the ground per contest.
“This definitely will be a fun game,” said BYU tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase, an Arizona native. “Their stadium is ten minutes away from my home. My uncle is actually associate head coach over there. It will be fun to be close to the family. At the end of the day, it’s the next game up.”
With an 8-2 overall record, and 5-2 in the conference, a win would greatly improve Arizona State’s chances of having a Big 12 championship game appearance. BYU, 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference, also seeks to get back on track and remain in the playoff race, which is currently on thin ice, per recent projections.
“The standard on defense does not change,” said Nelson. “We are going to play hard on defense no matter who we are playing.”
Arizona State is currently favored by 3.5 points. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.