ASU has had an astronomical rise from finishing 3-9 in back-to-back seasons to 7-2 and having a mightily significant game against Kansas State, who is one of the powerhouses of the Big 12 Conference, in mid-November.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Last Saturday, the Sun Devils prevailed in a scrappy 35-31 win over UCF, where it was a back-and-forth affair before Jordyn Tyson’s game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Without star running back Cam Skattebo, Tyson picked up seven receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns while Sam Leavitt completed 16-of-25 passes for 161 yards and three scores.
Off of a bye week, Kansas State was given extra time to reflect on leading 19-10 over Houston (4-5, 3-3) after three quarters before shockingly falling 23-19 on Nov. 2. Avery Johnson mustered 238 yards and two touchdowns from 23-of-39 passing as well as tossing two interceptions. DJ Giddens rushed 17 times for 50 yards and a touchdown in the defeat.
The Sun Devils are 5-1 all-time series against K-State, but the Wildcats won the last matchup in the 2002 Holiday Bowl.
Here is everything you need to know if you plan on watching or listening to the game:
TV/Radio
Matchup: Arizona State (7-2, 4-2) at Kansas State (7-2, 4-2)
Game Time: Saturday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. MST
Venue: Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan Kan.
TV: ESPN (Dave Flemming, Brock Osweiler, Stormy Buonantony)
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst, Kevin Turner, Jeff Munn)
Betting
ASU: Open: o50.5 | Spread: +7.5 | Moneyline: +260
K-State: Open: -8.5 | Spread: 7.5 | Moneyline: -320
Over/Under: 51.5
Odds from ESPN Bet
Prediction (Season Record: 6-3)
Kansas State 34-24 Arizona State
The ASU predictions have been spot-on as of late, as the last wrong prediction was the Sun Devils losing to Utah instead of winning on Oct. 11. For tonight, Kansas State is one of the best teams at home in the country, with the program having won each of its last 15 home games since 2022. There is definitely a chance Arizona State could cause even more chaos and pull off a win in the hostile environment in Manhattan, especially if Skattebo does play. Listed as questionable, there is no clear-cut decision of whether he will play or he won’t. If he does end up suiting up, he could drastically change how this tilt unfolds.
Johnson has shown flashes of being the best overall quarterback in the Big 12 and Kansas State’s defense as a whole is one of the top in the nation. Mixing in that the Wildcats had a bye and will be looking to bounce back after the Houston result, it will be a close game but Kansas State will have enough to get a crucial win that keeps its hopes of reaching the Big 12 title game alive.
Keys to victory: How ASU can prevail past No. 16 Kansas State in season-defining game
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
