BYU vs Arizona State prediction: duel in the desert comes down to the last possession

The magnitude of this game can't properly be described by some weirdo on the internet, but I'll give it a shot. BYU Cougars. Arizona State Sun Devils. Two teams undervalued by preseason analytics, rankings, and polls, now each with a shot at the Big 12 championship game. For Arizona State, it's all or nothing, but BYU's stakes may be just as high.

In the 11th game of the season for both sides, the 1-loss Cougars and the 2-loss Sun Devils will face off for the first time as conference foes, and the first time since Jaren Hall took down Jayden Daniels in 2021.

ASU will enter this game as slight favorites, once again giving Kalani Sitake a reason to proclaim, "They don't know, but they're about to find out!"

For the Desmond Howards of the world, this game is highly significant not only for BYU's playoff implications, but possibly for ASU if fortune shifts their way.

BYU is coming off a loss to the surging Kansas Jayhawks, while ASU most recently took down another sunflower power in Kansas State. But for a game like this, we don't care about what happened up until this point, and we can't afford to get caught up in the implications of what may happen after this battle.

All that matters is what will take place on a field in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday afternoon.

Our prediction? Prepare to be shocked, but we like the Cougars in this one. I've learned my lesson picking blowouts in the last two games on BYU's schedule, both of which became heart-stopping thrillers determined by last-minute theatrics--one in their favor, and one where the magic died.

This game will be tight, and Cam Skattebo can't be underestimated. He's torched the rest of the Big 12 this season, and QB Sam Leavitt likely won't feel any kinship toward his own faith when BYU takes the field. This is simply the biggest game on either team's schedule all season.

If BYU can take care of possession, as they've done so well recently, they should stay ahead long enough to pull out a win. BYU's defense has been stout with a few Utah 2nd quarter and Dylan Rizk-flavored exceptions. Cougs by a field goal.

Final Score: BYU 31, ASU 28

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