Overview
- Arizona State is expected to start true freshman Jake Fette at quarterback on Saturday after Mikey Keene left last week with a leg/knee injury and was listed as questionable by coach Kenny Dillingham.
- BYU enters the game under pressure after missing a season-high 18 tackles and allowing 463 yards in a 39-31 double-overtime loss to UCF that exposed tackling and third-down breakdowns.
- Key BYU personnel remain sidelined with running back L.J. Martin out for a third straight game and cornerback Evan Johnson likely unavailable, forcing younger players into larger roles in the secondary and backfield.
- Arizona State’s offense will lean on star receiver Reed Harris, who has about 800 receiving yards through seven games, and coaches say they will simplify protections and emphasize the run to protect a freshman starter.
- The matchup carries added weight because ASU’s 2024 win in Tempe helped derail BYU’s CFP push and a defeat on Saturday would further narrow BYU’s margin for error in the Big 12 race and playoff picture.