Plenty more at stake with this year's Territorial Cup

By Jacob Seliga

Lead Writer

JJ Digos/Contributor

Following last week’s thrilling 28-23 victory over BYU, the Arizona State Sun Devils now stand one win away from playing for a conference championship.

The last thing standing in their way is the biggest game on their schedule, a rivalry matchup in Tucson against the Arizona Wildcats for the Territorial Cup trophy.

If one was to say preseason that entering this matchup one of these teams would be far out of bowl contention while the other controlled their destiny to the conference championship, most would’ve assumed that the Wildcats would be in the Sun Devils position.

After all, Arizona won double digit games last season and returned who many believed could be the best duo in the country between quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian.

However, under first year head coach Brent Brennan, the wheels have completely fallen off for the Wildcats.

After possessing one of the most prolific offensive attacks in the country last season and an experienced defense, 2024 for Arizona has gone how 2023 went for Arizona State.

The injury bug has plagued the Wildcats, there’s been regression on both sides of the football, and a stagnation in recruiting.

But for all of the negatives 2024 has given Arizona, nothing could rectify a lost season and give Brennan and the team hope for 2025 than playing the ultimate spoiler role on Saturday afternoon at home.

Arizona offense

To say that the Wildcats offense is predicated on only McMillian would be the understatement of the year.

Following running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s ineligible ruling from the NCAA and an injury to former San Jose State running back Quali Conley that has hindered his ability, the rushing attack from the Wildcats has been absolutely abysmal. 

Entering the final game of the season, Arizona ranks in the bottom ten nationally for rushing yards per game at 99.8, bottom 25 for yards per carry at 3.6, and bottom five for rushing attempts per game at 27.9.

In all truthfulness though, the rushing attempts stat is skewed a little bit however.

Sacks count as a rushing attempt and the Arizona offensive line which was viewed as a strength entering the year has turned out to be a negative.

The right side of the offensive line has been a rotation. Four players have started at right tackle and Alexander Doost is the second starter at right guard. In total the offensive line has given up 26 sacks which is near the bottom of college football.

The lone other threat in the Wildcats offense is wide receiver Chris Hunter who has done most of his damage in the last two games against Houston and TCU. 

In those two games, Hunter has had 21 receptions for 214 yards and two touchdowns as the Arizona offense has stagnated with McMillan drawing multiple defensive backs in his direction.

With no true rushing attack and a passing game that leaves a lot to be desired, the Wildcats offense will have to rely on Fifita making a lot out of nothing in order to be successful.

Arizona defense

For as battered as the Wildcats offense has been this year, it has been the defense that has suffered the most from the injury bug. Seven starters from different points of the season are out for this matchup including all-conference linebacker Jacob Manu and safety Gunner Maldonado.

The talent is there on the Wildcats defense however as former San Jose State and Red Mountain defensive lineman Tre Smith has proven to be a star up front. In a defense that has failed to generate pressure all year and get home, Smith has been a stabilizing force.

As a starter, Smith leads the team with 7.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback pressures. 

Alongside him has been Ta’iti’i Uiagalelei who has been in backfields with 6.5 tackles for loss as well and 1.5 sacks. 

Leading the charge behind the defensive line has been linebacker and former Hamilton Husky, Taye Brown.

Brown has stepped in following the injury to Manu and has been one of the better linebackers in the Big 12 conference with 60 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. 

With the front six of the Wildcats battered and conceding five yards per carry and 174 rushing yards per game, the secondary has been a highlight for the defense.

In the back half the duo of former Hamilton Husky Genesis Smith and Dalton Johnson have done a solid job keeping plays in front of them.

Smith has 53 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss to go with a team high three interceptions and six pass breakups.

Johnson leads the team in tackles with 85, 4.5 which have been for loss and their main partner in crime has been potential all-conference cornerback Tacario Davis. 

As the best cornerback on the team most plays have been away from him but he’s chipped in 39 tackles and is tied with Smith with six pass breakups. 

Prediction: Arizona State 45 Arizona 24 

Arizona State has the coaching advantage, the offensive advantage, and the defensive advantage. The Sun Devils also have the best player on the field in running back Cam Skattebo. With that being said, there’s almost no way Arizona State loses this game unless they gift wrap it with a bow for the Wildcats.

The most concerning thing involving this matchup for Arizona is their consistency at turning the ball over and their lack of stopping the run. The Wildcats are No. 108 in the country with close to two turnovers per game and are near the bottom in almost every defensive rushing category which is the Sun Devils strength.

Expect a big day for Skattebo and Leavitt with their legs to extend plays and march down the field and with a defense that has dominated at times this year, Arizona State should roll through this game and into the conference championship next week in Arlington.