From Tempe to Waco, Sun Devils Bring a Storm of Doubt

A High-Stakes Matchup in Waco

The desert winds are blowing east this Saturday, bringing with them Sparky and his pitchfork from the scorching sands of Tempe to the banks of the Brazos River in Waco. This Week 4 showdown feels more significant than a typical mid-September game should be. The Arizona State Sun Devils arrive fresh off their 2024 Big 12 title, stepping into the Bears’ territory with two strong wins but also a heartbreaking loss at Mississippi State — a mix that highlights both their strengths and their unpredictability.

This is a team filled with talent and confidence, yet one that can keep the entire college football world on edge with its inconsistency. The 2025 Sun Devils are built on continuity, returning 17 starters overall — seven on offense and ten on defense — which is rare in a sport where rosters constantly change. Most of last season’s defensive leaders are back, giving the unit a level of experience that many programs would envy. On the offensive side, key players like quarterback Sam Leavitt, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, tight end Chamon Metayer, and nearly the entire offensive line have returned. This consistency explains why expectations remain extremely high for the team.

A year ago, Arizona State's journey to the Big 12 crown and College Football Playoff proved what this group is capable of when everything aligns. The Sun Devils started the 2025 season by defeating Northern Arizona, only to suffer a setback against Mississippi State, losing 24–20. Just seven days later, they bounced back with a decisive 34–15 win over Texas State, relying heavily on a powerful ground game that produced consistent yardage. Through three weeks, their stats tell the story: 408 yards of offense per game, 232 of those coming on the ground; scoring 30.7 points per game while allowing just 19.3. It's a team that can overwhelm opponents with speed and power — or leave fans on the edge of their seats due to late-game struggles.

Watching Arizona State can feel like watching Wile E. Coyote attempt to trap the Road Runner. The plans always look perfect, the dust cloud builds, and for a moment, it seems like a touchdown is guaranteed. Then, the tunnel he painted on the canyon wall turns out to be solid rock. Cue the crash, cue the smoke, and cue the Road Runner’s mocking “beep beep.” If Baylor’s defense has its way, that’s exactly how the game ends: Robertson throwing accurate passes, Washington charging downhill, and the Sun Devils running full speed into Baylor’s brick wall before heading back to the desert empty-handed.

Leavitt is finding his rhythm, and when he connects with Tyson, the Sun Devils look like the champions they were last year. Tyson stretches the field, Leavitt is trusting his arm more each week, and together they’ve created an offense capable of shifting momentum in an instant. Running back Raleek Brown adds another dimension with his speed, making defenses nervous on every snap. When these three are clicking, Sparky’s pitchfork doesn’t just sparkle — it sears.

Defensively, the Sun Devils rely on experience. Ten returning starters, led by lineman C.J. Fite, linebacker Prince Dorbah, and a secondary full of veterans, give ASU the kind of seasoned unit that should thrive under pressure. But experience only counts if discipline holds. The loss to Mississippi State exposed some concerns: missed tackles, late-game breakdowns, and costly lapses. Baylor, under Dave Aranda, will test that discipline drive by drive.

This is the weight of Saturday’s conference battle at McLane Stadium. For Baylor, it’s an opportunity to slow down a defending champion before momentum takes hold. For the Sun Devils, it’s a chance to prove that last year’s Big 12 title wasn’t a fluke but the start of a new era sweeping through the Big 12. In this conference, everyone knows the feeling: sometimes you're the Road Runner sprinting straight through the painted tunnel, and sometimes you're the Coyote running headfirst into the rock.

The game starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and after the final whistle, Parker Rhem and Kam Dyer will provide highlights and a complete wrap-up on FOX 44 News at 9:00.