ASU football has not played midweek for a non-conference road game since 1941, but they will end that longstanding trend when the Sun Devils take on Texas State on Thursday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This is just the third game Arizona State football has ever gone up against a team currently from the Sun Belt Conference. They beat both Louisiana in 2001 and Louisiana-Monroe in 2009.
ASU and Texas State are both undefeated to begin the 2024 season at 2-0 each. The Sun Devils crushed Wyoming 48-7 and claimed a 30-23 victory over Mississippi State while the Bobcats beat Lamar 34-27 and destroyed UTSA 49-10.
For the third time in as many games, Arizona State will face an opponent whose starting quarterback transferred during the offseason.
With Wyoming’s Evan Svoboda and Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen in their first years at their new schools, Texas State’s Jordan McCloud will be another name added to the list as he transferred from James Madison. As a Bobcat so far, McCloud has completed 39 of 57 passes for five touchdowns and 547 yards. The Florida native also rushed for two additional touchdowns and 39 yards from nine carries.
Both teams had a player who received Offensive Player of the Week honors from their respective conferences, with McCloud (Sun Belt) and Sun Devil running back Cam Skattebo (Big 12) recognized for their huge performances on Sept. 7. McCloud was 18-for-29 passing for 309 yards and a touchdown paired along with two rushing scores vs. UTSA. Skattebo collected a career-high 262 rushing yards from 33 carries against Mississippi State.
The Bobcats are 9-2 in their last 11 games in the state of Texas, and are opening up the year with four straight games at home. Benefitting from home-field advantage, Texas State is No. 25 in the nation in scoring offense and No. 26 in total offense.
How to tune into Arizona State at Texas State
Venue:Â UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Tex.
Game Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN (Matt Barrie, Dan Mullen, Harry Lyles Jr.)
Stream: FUBO
Radio: ESPN 620 AM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn)
Key Stats
- A win for ASU would mark the first time they would start 3-0 since 2019. It would also be the first 3-0 start against three consecutive FBS programs since 2007 when they beat San Jose State, Colorado and San Diego State back-to-back-to-back.
- Arizona State has +4.3 yards of starting field position this season, which is ranked No. 39 in the country. The Sun Devils finished last in the statistical category in 2023 with -9.5.
- Since Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward have been part of the program together, ASU’s defense has held opponents to under 100 rushing yards in eight of its 14 games.
- There are 22 Sun Devils who were born in Texas: wide receivers Jordyn Tyson, Troy Omeire, Kaleb Black, Derek Eusebio and Korbin Hendrix, defensive backs Xavion Alford, Chris Johnson II, Montana Warren, Joseph McGinnis II, Ja’Mori Williams, Tony-Louis Nkuba, Rodney Bimage Jr. and Keith Abney II, defensive linemen Clayton Smith, J.P. Deeter, C.J. Fite and Prince Dorbah, running backs Kyson Brown and Alton McCaskill, linebacker Jordan Crook, offensive lineman Josh Atkins and tight end Cameron Harpole.
Prediction
Arizona State 34-27 Texas State
If ASU can have a complete game like they did against Wyoming, there is a realistic chance the Sun Devils will win and become 3-0. The second half against Mississippi State was far from perfect and showed that there are ways their opponents can exploit certain weaknesses on defense. Texas State’s offense was dangerous last year and showed off the potential of what it can do with McCloud now at quarterback. Blowing out their first two opponents in the first half of both games so far, ASU needs to keep its foot on the gas and not coast or things can turn ugly quickly.
ASU at Texas State game day guide: Where to watch and listen, betting odds
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
