Week 5 of the 2025 college football season brings an intriguing game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Arizona State Sun Devils. The game will take place at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, and will be broadcast on FOX at 9:00 PM. As two Big 12 teams, both squads aim to strengthen their position in the conference.
TCU enters the game with an undefeated 3-0 record and currently holds the #24 spot in the AP rankings. Their recent victory against the SMU Mustangs showcased their potent passing attack, accumulating 379 yards through the air. With a perfect road record so far, TCU aims to continue their success away from home.
Arizona State, with a 3-1 record, looks to leverage their home-field advantage where they remain unbeaten this season. Coming off a narrow 27-24 win against Baylor, the Sun Devils demonstrated their ability to perform in tight contests. As they face another challenging opponent, Arizona State’s blend of ground and air attacks will be pivotal.
Arizona State vs TCU At a Glance
- Game Location: Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, AZ
- Game Time and Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
- Broadcasting Channel: FOX
- Weather: Outdoor field conditions
- TCU Record: 3-0 (Overall), 1-0 (Away)
- Game Odds: Arizona State favored by 2.5 points
Arizona State Sun Devils Set to Test Their Mettle Against TCU
Offensive Overview
The Arizona State Sun Devils have demonstrated a solid offensive front, particularly in the rushing department, where they rank 19th with 886 yards. Their ground game is a cornerstone of their offensive strategy, allowing them to control the pace of the game.
With 119 points scored this season, they stand at 40th in the nation, indicating a balanced attack capable of putting points on the board. Their passing game, led by QB Sam Leavitt, ranks 89th with 748 yards, showcasing potential for improvement.
Defensive Standouts
Defensively, the Sun Devils have shown significant strength with 13 sacks, ranking 5th nationally, which reflects their aggressive pass rush. Their ability to force turnovers is impressive, with 2 interceptions and 4 fumbles recovered, positioning them 3rd and 2nd respectively.
Although they rank 55th in points against with 82, their defensive capabilities are underscored by their ability to disrupt the opponent’s offensive flow. This creates opportunities for their offense to capitalize on short fields.
Key Players to Watch
Sam Leavitt, the leading quarterback, has thrown for 748 yards and 6 touchdowns, aiming to continue his upward trajectory. Raleek Brown, a dynamic running back, has accumulated 372 rushing yards, ranking 18th nationally.
Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is another pivotal player, with 31 receptions and 357 receiving yards, adding depth to their aerial attack. His contributions have been instrumental in their offensive successes so far this season.
Injury Concerns
The Sun Devils face some injury challenges, with key players like Xavion Alford and MyKeil Gardner out indefinitely. Jalen Moss is doubtful, which could impact their receiving corps significantly.
Questionable players such as Montana Warren and Cameron Dyer add to the uncertainty in their lineup, making depth and adaptability crucial for the upcoming game. The team will need to navigate these challenges to maintain their competitive edge.
Betting Trends
- Arizona State is 9-0 in their last 9 home games (100.0%).
- As favorites, they have an 11-1 record over the last 12 games (91.7%).
- They are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 home games (88.9%).
- They hold a 7-2 ATS record in games with totals ≥ 50 (77.8%).
TCU Horned Frogs Seek to Maintain Momentum in Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
The TCU Horned Frogs have had a strong start to their 2025 season, scoring a total of 125 points, placing them 35th in the national rankings. The passing game has been particularly effective, with 1,024 yards, ranking 37th. However, the rushing attack hasn’t been as prolific, with only 528 yards placing them at 86th.
First downs have been a significant aspect of their offensive play, with TCU achieving 77 first downs, ranking 31st. This stat indicates their ability to sustain drives and maintain possession. The team’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities will be crucial in their upcoming game.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, TCU has been impressive in the 2025 season, allowing just 59 points, which ranks them 35th nationally. Their pass rush has been particularly effective, with 8 sacks, placing them 10th. The Horned Frogs have also shown a knack for creating turnovers with 3 interceptions and 2 fumbles recovered, both ranked 4th.
The ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and create turnovers has been a key component of TCU’s defensive success. Maintaining this defensive intensity will be vital in their upcoming challenge on the road.
Quarterback and Offensive Weapons
Josh Hoover has been a standout at quarterback for TCU, throwing for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in just three games. His performance has been a driving force behind the Horned Frogs’ offensive success. Hoover’s ability to spread the ball to multiple receivers adds a layer of unpredictability to TCU’s offense.
Eric McAlister and Jordan Dwyer have been the top receiving targets, combining for 30 receptions and 577 yards. Their ability to stretch the field and make key receptions will be critical against Arizona State’s defense.
Rushing Game and Injuries
The rushing game has been a bit inconsistent, with Kevorian Barnes leading the way with 156 yards in two games. However, Barnes is currently questionable with an undisclosed injury, which may impact TCU’s ground attack. If Barnes is unable to play, the Horned Frogs will rely on Jeremy Payne and Trent Battle to carry the load.
Keylan Abrams’ absence due to a leg injury will impact TCU’s linebacker corps. Despite these challenges, TCU’s depth will be tested, and players stepping up will be essential.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 7 Games → 7-0 (100.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 6 Games → 6-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: Last 6 Games → 6-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 5 Games → 5-0 (100.0%)
- SU – After Win: Last 5 Games → 5-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – All Games: Last 6 Games → 5-1 (83.3%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 9 Games → 7-2 (77.8%)
Arizona State vs TCU Prediction: Arizona State -2.5
Arizona State enters this game as the -2.5 favorite, and given their strong recent performance at home, they appear poised to cover the spread. Arizona State is 9-0 in their last nine home games, showcasing their dominance at Mountain America Stadium. TCU, while unbeaten this season, will face a tough test against the Sun Devils’ defense and their home crowd advantage.
The Sun Devils have shown they excel in games with higher totals, with an 8-1 record in games where the total is 50 or more. Meanwhile, Arizona State’s performance as a favorite has been impressive, with an 11-1 record in their last 12 games when favored. TCU’s defense, though strong, may struggle against Arizona State’s balanced attack that can effectively utilize both the run and the pass.
TCU’s road record is solid, but they will need to improve on their offensive efficiency to keep up with Arizona State’s potent offense. Arizona State’s strong defense, ranked 55th in points against, might give them the edge in limiting TCU’s scoring opportunities. With Arizona State’s home-field advantage and TCU’s potential challenges, the Sun Devils are favored to cover the -2.5 spread.
Based on these factors, I project Arizona State to edge out a win, with a final score favoring the Sun Devils. Expect a closely contested game, but the Sun Devils should maintain their home winning streak.
- Arizona State vs TCU Prediction: Arizona State -2.5
- Arizona State vs TCU Score: Arizona State 30 – TCU 24
