#image_title
0
0
What was once pegged as a potential Top 10 matchup between ASU and Texas Tech has now become just another Saturday game—at least on the national radar.
For ASU, there’s still a lot at stake. Sitting at 2–2 in conference play, the Sun Devils are clinging to hope. A loss here would all but end any realistic shot at a Big XII Championship appearance or a College Football Playoff bid.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, has everything to gain. A win in Tempe would keep them on track for a potential Top 5 national ranking and solidify their position as a true contender.
While the national hype may have faded, the stakes remain high. ASU will be fighting to keep its home winning streak alive, while Texas Tech looks to prove it’s more than just a dark horse. Let’s break down how these two teams stack up and the key factors that could shape this pivotal Week 8 clash.
Breaking Down the Battle: Who Has the Edge? ASU or Texas Tech
This game is likely to be a battle of the offenses, so I will break down three important offensive positions and give an edge to one of the two teams.
QB:
With both starting quarterbacks’ status in question, the real conversation isn’t about who’s better—it’s about who’s actually going to play.
Sam Leavitt missed last week’s loss to Utah due to a “mysterious” ankle injury, while Behren Morton went down with a leg injury in Texas Tech’s win over Kansas. As of October 15, 2025, Leavitt is listed as probable, while Morton remains questionable.
If neither quarterback is available, the game could feature a matchup between backups Will Hammond and Jeff Sims. In that case, Hammond clearly holds the edge. He appears more starter-ready and outperforms Sims in nearly every key category.
However, if both Leavitt and Morton suit up, the comparison becomes much more even. Still, Leavitt gets the slight edge. His mobility, ability to extend plays, and knack for reading defenses give him a unique advantage. That was especially evident in his absence last week—ASU’s offense lacked the improvisational spark that he typically brings to the field.
Advantage: Arizona State
RB:
The battle everyone in the Big XII has been waiting for: Cameron Dickey vs. Raleek Brown. Heading into the season, both backs were highly ranked within their programs, but recent weeks have pushed them even further into the spotlight—thanks largely to uncertainty at the quarterback position.
So far this season, Cameron Dickey has racked up 591 yards on 91 carries with 8 touchdowns. Nearly half of those yards came in last week’s dominant performance against a struggling Kansas defense, which ranks dead last in the Big XII—allowing over 198 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns per game. This week, Dickey faces a much tougher challenge in ASU, which ranks third in the Big XII in rushing defense, giving up just 112 yards per game. Whether he can find the same success remains to be seen.
Raleek Brown, meanwhile, has tallied 573 yards on 91 carries, nearly matching Dickey in both yardage and attempts, but with only 2 touchdowns to his name. Early in the season, Brown shared the backfield with Kyson Brown and Kanye Udoh, limiting his production. However, with Kyson sidelined for an “undetermined amount of time” and Udoh stepping back in the rotation, Raleek now has a prime opportunity to take over the ground game and prove his worth as a feature back.
When comparing these two, the margins are razor-thin. Dickey holds a slight edge in yards per carry (6.5 vs. 6.3) and leads by just 18 total rushing yards. But the biggest difference lies in the touchdown column—and that’s where Dickey separates himself, with six more scores than Brown.
Advantage: Texas Tech
WR:
The wide receiver rooms for both Arizona State and Texas Tech have turned out to be far less dynamic than many expected heading into the season.
For Arizona State, the transfer portal brought high hopes. The Sun Devils added Jaren Hamilton from Alabama and Jalen Moss from Fresno State, while retaining key returners like Malik McClain, Derek Eusebio, and Jordyn Tyson. On paper, Sam Leavitt was expected to have a loaded arsenal at his disposal. In reality, that hasn’t materialized.
Injuries, inconsistent snap counts, and play calling that doesn’t effectively distribute the ball have limited the impact of the receiver corps. Outside of Jordyn Tyson, production has been sparse. Tyson alone accounts for 41% of Leavitt’s completions and 44% of the team’s receiving yards this season. When a defense only has to key in on one receiver, it makes life a lot harder for the offense.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, has built a passing game around balance and depth. Through six games, the Red Raiders have nearly 2,000 passing yards, spread across a diverse group of targets. Caleb Douglas leads the team with 395 yards on 24 receptions, but Coy Eakin isn’t far behind with 341 yards on 24 catches. While no single player has eclipsed 400 yards, five different receivers have totaled over 200 yards—making it difficult for defenses to focus on just one weapon.
If this were a head-to-head receiver battle, Jordyn Tyson might have the edge—no one in Texas Tech’s locker room can match his one-on-one impact. But if we’re evaluating the receiver room as a whole, it’s not close. Texas Tech takes the clear win for its depth, consistency, and distribution across the board.
Advantage: Texas Tech
ASU’s Blueprint for a Big XII Statement Win
As you can see by the simple breakdown of three key positions in this game, the game is heavily favored towards Texas Tech, which is evident by not only the overall play this season, but also the point spread. ASU opened as an 11.5-point dog and has ballooned up to 13.5 since it opened. I am going to break down the blueprint for ASU if they want to not only keep their home win streak alive, but also their chances at a CCG berth and a CFP berth alive.
Key 1: Establish the Run Early and Stay Out of Trouble
ASU has repeatedly gotten itself into trouble this season—not just by falling behind the sticks, but also due to costly offensive procedural penalties. If the Sun Devils want to take down Texas Tech this weekend, it starts with establishing the run game early and often.
Raleek Brown has shown both fans and critics alike that, despite his smaller frame, he can run through contact with the best of them. His toughness and explosiveness need to be front and center if ASU wants to control the pace and keep the offense on schedule.
Falling into obvious passing situations would be a major issue for two reasons. First, the offensive line is in flux, currently on its third starting center in three weeks, making protection and cohesion a major concern. Second, Texas Tech’s defensive line features two NFL-caliber talents who will feast on clear passing downs.
With Sam Leavitt’s mobility still in question due to his lingering ankle injury, the last thing ASU needs is to become one-dimensional. A strong, consistent ground game will be crucial to keeping the Red Raiders’ defense guessing and protecting a potentially hobbled quarterback.
Key 2: Get Production from the Entire ASU WR Room
As mentioned earlier in this article, ASU’s wide receiver production has been almost entirely reliant on Jordyn Tyson. If the Sun Devils want any shot at winning on Saturday, that has to change.
The offense needs to create explosive plays, get contributions from under-the-radar receivers, and win contested catches. Jaren Hamilton’s breakaway speed must be a factor in this game. Malik McClain needs to step up and make the tough, physical catches he was brought in for. And of course, Jordyn Tyson must continue playing at the Preseason All-American level he’s capable of—because ASU can’t afford for him to disappear against a physical Texas Tech secondary.
But it’s not all on the receivers. Sam Leavitt has to be accurate and protect the football. With his status still uncertain, any miscues—especially turnovers—could sink ASU’s chances early. There’s little margin for error against a team that capitalizes on mistakes.
Hot Take: If Jaren Hamilton hauls in 4 catches and a touchdown, ASU puts itself in position to win this game.
Key 3: Maximize Every Scoring Opportunity
Coming into this matchup, ASU ranks near the bottom of the nation in Special Teams efficiency—a glaring weakness that could prove costly against an aggressive Texas Tech team.
Injuries to Kanyon Floyd, growing concerns around Jesus Gomez’s reliability in clutch situations, and questionable decisions by Special Teams Coordinator Charlie Ragle have all contributed to missed opportunities. ASU simply can’t afford to leave points on the table this Saturday. Against a team that can score in bunches, every red zone trip, field goal attempt, and extra point matters.
With the special teams unit struggling, the pressure will fall heavily on the shoulders of head coach Kenny Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo to keep the offense firing. This could be one of those shootout games where the first team to 65 wins, and if that’s the case, ASU needs to score early and often to keep pace.
Leaving points behind—whether due to missed field goals or failed fourth-down conversions—could bring a swift and painful end to their hopes.
Final Thoughts: It’s Now or Never for ASU
While this game may no longer carry Top 10 billing on the national stage, make no mistake—the stakes for Arizona State couldn’t be higher. This is a defining moment in their season. A win on Saturday would not only keep their home winning streak alive, but also breathe new life into their Big XII title hopes and keep a long-shot College Football Playoff berth on the table.
But the margin for error is razor-thin.
ASU must play clean, disciplined football. They need to establish the run, get production from more than just their top receiver, and cash in on every scoring opportunity. Against a Texas Tech team that is not only deep and balanced but also hungry for national recognition, anything less than a complete effort won’t be enough.
If ASU wants to stay in the Big XII race, it starts here. With their backs against the wall and their season hanging in the balance, we’re about to find out just how much fight the Sun Devils have left.
Score Prediction: Arizona State 42, Texas Tech 38.
About the Author
