The Territorial Cup is here, and as Arizona players and coaches have said over and over this week, it’s the biggest game of the year. It can also help make an otherwise disappointing season end on a high note for the Wildcats.
Arizona (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) is trying to win a third straight T-Cup for the first time since 1993-95, while No. 14 Arizona State (9-2, 7-2) is trying to make the Big 12 title game.
Can the UA keep the Cup? Our staff makes its predictions.
Kim Doss — ASU wins 42-27
Last year when I wrote about this game, I noted that we would hear a lot about how the records can be thrown out for rivalry games. I also noted that it was generally nonsense trotted out to make a lopsided matchup seem more compelling than it actually is. I stand by that this year, although the lopsided nature tilts the opposite direction.
ASU came into this game injured and struggling last year. This time around, it’s Arizona that’s injured and struggling, although the struggle came long before the injuries started to pile up. The Wildcats haven’t shown the ability to keep up with mediocre or bad teams for most of the season. There’s no reason to expect them to keep up with a good Sun Devils team.
Considering that ASU has only averaged 31 points per game this season, this may seem like a generous prediction for the Sun Devils offense. However, they went into Stillwater and defeated Oklahoma State 42-21 at the beginning of the month. The Cowboys are even more disappointing than the Wildcats this year, but the shorthanded UA defense is not in a position to keep ASU from scoring early and often.
Devin Homer — ASU wins 31-24
This is not the same ASU team from last year that Arizona dominated 59-23. The Sun Devils have won six of its last seven games and are coming off a win at home against BYU, while Arizona has lost six of its last seven.
Rivalry games are usually hard to pick and upsets happen but Arizona’s defense is too banged up to compete for four quarters against a team whose playing its best football right now. In order for Arizona to have a chance it will need to slow down Cam Skattebo on the ground and force ASU’s redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt to make good decisions through the air.
Ezra Amacher — ASU wins 40-27
For Arizona to play spoilers on Saturday, just about everything would have to go the Wildcats’ way, from turnovers to defensive holds to special teams. I expect Arizona to give the Sun Devils a scare in the first half before ASU’s offense overwhelms the UA’s injury-riddled defense. Cam Skattebo is poised for another 100+ yard day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him in the end zone at least twice. I hope Arizona can show some dignity in defeat and give fans at least a little optimism that this program can be competitive next year with the right roster maneuvering.
Adam Green — ASU wins 35-17
As I wrote for this very site, ASU is not a great team. They are not bad at any one thing and can run the ball pretty well, but this is a team that does not really blow its opponents out. That, plus this game being in Tucson and the fact that the Cats still have guys like Tetairoa McMillan, Noah Fifita and the rest gives reason to at least ponder the possibility of Arizona pulling off the upset.
But then again Arizona has had those two players and more for this entire season and it has gone rather poorly.
The problem is Arizona’s offense, slightly improved from earlier in the season, is not nearly good enough to make up for a defense that just doesn’t have the depth and bodies to hold up for an entire game.
Maybe that changes this week and Arizona comes out and plays its absolute best game against a team that is feeling the pressure and is unfamiliar with playing catch up in a game. If Arizona can get out to an early lead (imagine that!) or have this be a game in the fourth quarter it could be fun. But expecting the Cats to do things in this game that they haven’t really done all season is not something I’m putting my name on.
Brandon Combs — Arizona wins 31-24
A couple of things. One, I will not pick ASU to beat Arizona…ever. You can call me a homer or whatever you want, I refuse to do it.
Second, it is highly possible Arizona wins this game. The T-Cup is usually a wild game where struggling Arizona teams play their best ball. With the game being in Tucson as an added bonus, the team should come out more motivated.
The key for Arizona’s defense will be to stop Cam Skattebo. If they are able to do that, they can focus on applying pressure to Sam Leavitt and force the young QB to make enough errors to sink any offensive momentum the Sun Devils may obtain.
Offensively, Arizona has to play smart football. You can’t turn the ball over and give ASU a short field. I know Brent Brennan said this earlier in the week, but you can’t have your passing game’s focal point be long, downfield throws. Arizona’s offense has found success this season when it focuses on the short and intermediate passing game, mixed with quicker runs.
Now, it is also possible Skattebo runs wild and the offense stalls on most of its possessions, as has been the case this season. However, I think the ‘Cats are going to be ready to play spoiler to ASU’s season.
Juan Serrano — Arizona wins 31-28
Everything is on the line for ASU on Saturday. A possible trip to Arlington, chances at the College Football Playoffs, and reclaiming the Territorial Cup. Cam Skattebo is having an amazing year for the Sun Devils, and is expected to have a big day. However, when it comes to rivalry games, everything goes out the windows. Records are thrown out, post season goals are thrown out. It is all about going 1-0 that day.
Arizona is playing for pride, and nothing more. A chance to beat the Sun Devils for the third consecutive year, and sending the seniors out with a win. A win on Saturday would make the overall season not look as bad. This is also more than likely going to be the last game Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan play together. I believe they are going to have one last showing of their connection and it will lead to an Arizona victory over ASU.
Brian J. Pedersen — Arizona wins 27-24
Beating ASU fixes everything, right? More often than not, this is the case, but even a win over the Sun Devils won’t erase the disappointment of 2024. One might say this team was a little overhyped, especially considering the quality of the players that either graduated, turned pro or went to Seattle, but it’s still been rough.
Making matters worse has been the Sun Devils basically having Arizona’s 2023 season, going from nowhere to the playoff conversation and a spot in the Big 12 title game. The Wildcats can ruin all those hopes, though, and the combination of that and trying to end on a high note should provide all the motivation needed.
Look for Arizona to play with a bit of a zero fucks mentality, possibly with some trick plays and giving Tetairoa McMillan a shot to set a few more school records. And Tyler Loop will walk it off with another long field goal.