This Saturday, October 25, the Houston Cougars are set to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. It’s a Big 12 showdown, slotted into college football’s Week 9, and honestly, it could get wild.
The action starts at 5 p.m. MST, airing live on ESPN2. If you’re more of a streamer, FUBO has you covered too.
Arizona State comes in as a 7.5-point favorite, so the pressure’s definitely on. Both teams have plenty riding on this one.
Arizona State Sun Devils: The Favorites
The Sun Devils, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, have pieced together a solid season. Their three Big 12 wins? All decided by a combined 10 points, which says a lot about their grit in close games.
Right now, Arizona State sits at 3-1 in conference play. Their recent 26-22 upset over Texas Tech—when they were 7-point underdogs—definitely turned some heads.
That win snapped Texas Tech’s unbeaten streak, both straight up and against the spread. You can feel the Sun Devils’ confidence growing.
Key Players to Watch
Sam Leavitt has been the guy for Arizona State. He’s stepped up in the clutch more than once, and you get the sense the team feeds off his energy.
The defense, too, has been sneaky good. They’ve made big stops when it mattered most.
- Sam Leavitt: Quarterback, clutch under pressure, and not afraid to take risks.
- Defensive Line: Keeps delivering when the game’s on the line. Not flashy, but effective.
Houston Cougars: The Underdogs
On the flip side, Houston also has a 3-1 conference record. They just faced Oklahoma State, which should have them tuned up for this Big 12 matchup.
The Cougars are underdogs at +250 on the moneyline, but they’ve shown they can hang with tough opponents. Some prediction models even have Houston pulling off the upset.
Challenges and Opportunities
Houston has to deal with a tough Arizona State squad, and it’s on the road, which never makes things easier. Still, they seem ready for the challenge.
The Cougars’ offense needs to be sharp if they want to keep pace. No room for mistakes.
- Offensive Strategy: Houston’s got to adjust on the fly and stick to what works.
- Defensive Resilience: Slowing down Sam Leavitt will be a tall order, but it’s the only way.
Betting Odds and Predictions
BetMGM Sportsbook lists Arizona State as a 7.5-point favorite. The Sun Devils are -325 on the moneyline, while Houston’s at +250.
The over/under is set at 47.5 points. Most folks expect Arizona State to win, but there’s definitely a chance for Houston to shake things up.
Expert Predictions
Jeremy Cluff, who’s been covering sports for a while, thinks we’ll see another nail-biter. He’s leaning toward Arizona State squeaking out a win, mostly because they’ve handled close games well.
Meanwhile, the site’s formula gives Houston a 28.2% shot at the win, with Arizona State at 67%. The gap’s there, but it’s not impossible.
- Jeremy Cluff’s Prediction: Arizona State takes it, but barely.
- Site’s Formula Prediction: Houston at 28.2% to win.
Game Day Information
If you want to watch, ESPN2 is airing the game live. FUBO is streaming it, so you’ve got options.
The kick-off is at 5 p.m. MST. There’s a real sense that this could go either way, depending on who shows up ready.
How to Watch
Can’t make it to the stadium? Here’s how you can tune in:
- Live Broadcast: ESPN2
- Streaming: FUBO (they offer a free trial, by the way)
Want more predictions and takes? Check out the full article on azcentral.
Final Thoughts
This Week 9 Big 12 matchup between the Houston Cougars and Arizona State Sun Devils looks like it could be a wild one. Both teams have been playing well and there’s a lot at stake.
No matter which side you’re on, there’s bound to be some real drama. I mean, who doesn’t love a game with a little extra tension?
Want more updates? Keep an eye out as game day gets closer. And if you like live takes, you might want to follow Jeremy Cluff on X (yeah, that’s what Twitter’s called now) for in-the-moment insights.
By the way, supporting local journalism matters—consider subscribing to azcentral.com. And hey, those daily sports newsletters are actually pretty handy if you hate missing out.
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