TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State has waited a long time to play a home football game of this magnitude. The No.
21 Sun Devils (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) haven't hosted a game as a nationally ranked team in November since 2014, and it's going to be a big one with No. 14 BYU (9-1, 6-1) coming to town. “We haven’t had one like this yet since I’ve been here,” Arizona State's second-year coach Kenny Dillingham said.
“This is going to be the game where people can really feel it.” It's a matchup with Big 12 and College Football Playoff implications that few expected just a few months ago. The Cougars were picked 13th of 16 teams in the Big 12 preseason poll while the Sun Devils were picked dead last.
Arizona State has won three straight and already secured a five-win improvement over last season, which is the program's biggest year-over-year gain since 1996. Even so, Dillingham said the Sun Devils have no reason to be cocky, even if they've earned some confidence. “We’re four plays away from having four losses and we’re a couple of plays away from having 10 wins,” Dillingham said.
“That’s the nature of football, so I’ve never looked at it like that. I always look at it like we can win every game on our schedule." BYU won its first nine games this season but is coming off its first loss — a 17-13 home setback against Kansas.
The Cougars are trying not to let one loss affect their season goals and they still control their own destiny in the Big 12 title race. “.