While the SEC and Big Ten dominate national headlines, the Big 12 quietly develops several contenders capable of making a significant postseason impact as the College Football Playoff approaches. Two such teams prepare to clash in a pivotal late-night encounter that could reshape the entire conference championship race.
Our comprehensive Arizona State vs. Utah prediction examines Saturday night’s crucial matchup as the 21st-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) travel to face the unranked Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1) at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Arizona State vs. Utah Details
- Date:Â Saturday, Oct. 11
- Game time:Â 10:15 p.m. ET
- Location:Â Rice-Eccles Stadium | Salt Lake City, Utah
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 43°F; showers and thunderstorms likely, heavy rain and lightning delays possible
- How To Watch:Â ESPN
Arizona State vs. Utah Head-to-Head Record
Though both programs now compete in the Big 12, this rivalry was forged during their lengthy tenure in the Pac-12 conference. These teams have squared off 35 times since their first encounter in 1961, when Utah captured a thrilling 28-26 victory in Tempe.
Arizona State maintains a commanding 23-12 advantage in the all-time series.
Recent years have favored Utah, with the Utes claiming four victories in the last five meetings before last season’s outcome. The altitude and weather conditions at Rice-Eccles Stadium have historically benefited the home team, as Utah dominated its most recent Salt Lake City encounters by substantial margins.
However, Arizona State reversed this trend in 2024, securing a decisive 27-19 road victory in Tempe to snap their losing streak in the series and establish momentum heading into Saturday’s rematch.
Arizona State vs. Utah Grades
- Arizona State (76.3, C)
- Utah (86.4, B)
- Arizona State (79.4, C+)
- Utah (84.4, B)
- Arizona State (87.9, B+)
- Utah (91.1, A-)
- Jeff Sims, Arizona State: N/A
- Devon Dampier, Utah (85.2, B)
- Raleek Brown, Arizona State (80.0, B-)
- NaQuari Rogers, Utah (76.1, C)
- Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (81.6, B-)
- Ryan Davis, Utah (78.0, C+)
- Chamon Metayer, Arizona State (79.4, C+)
- Dallen Bentley, Utah (83.6, B)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Clayton Smith, Arizona State (81.7, B-)
- John Henry Daley, Utah (90.5, A-)
PFSN College DTi
- Jacob Rich Kongaika, Arizona State (75.6, C)
- Jonah Lea’ea, Utah (76.0, C)
PFSN College LBi
- Jordan Crook, Arizona State (77.2, C+)
- Johnathan Hall, Utah (72.2, C-)
PFSN College CBi
- Keith Abney II, Arizona State (96.0, A)
- Elijah Davis, Utah (79.1, C+)
PFSN College SAFi
- Xavion Alford, Arizona State (89.9, B+)
- Tao Johnson, Utah (79.4, C+)
Arizona State vs. Utah Prediction
While Arizona State enters this game ranked, the hometown Utah Utes are actually favorite, helped by the Sun Devils losing quarterback Sam Leavitt to an injury sustained earlier in the year. Throw in some unpredictable weather, and you have a banana-skin scenario for the reigning champions.
The weather, combined with solid defenses, leads me to believe that this game might not be as high-scoring as some might predict. Still, playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City — especially at night — is not an easy task.
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The Utah home crowd will be rowdy, and the Utes will be looking for a signature win to get them ranked and hopefully an eventual CFP berth. The Sun Devils are a proper football team, but with RB Cam Skattebo now with the NFL’s Giants, this team has transformed from a multi-headed offensive attack to more of a passing offense, further accentuating Leavitt’s loss.
I predict that Utah keeps it close throughout, maybe even holding a few leads, before Arizona State goes on a late drive that would theoretically win the game. At home in rainy conditions, though, Utah should get enough time to march down the field and seal the win with a last-second field goal.
Prediction: Utah 30, Arizona State 28
