👋 GOOD MORNING - Happy Thursday! Almost to the end of the week!

Just wanted to quickly give a shoutout to former ASU women’s soccer player Lieske Carleer, who was called up to the Netherlands National Team, marking her first promotion to the nation’s top team. Carleer was a Sun Devil from 2019-2023, appearing in 81 matches over that span.

Congrats, Lieske, and good luck!

On to the show!

— Patrick Brown, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

OK, so last week didn’t quite go as planned.

The Sun Devils struggled to get anything going in Salt Lake City against the Utes, while the Wildcats suffered a devastating defeat at home against BYU. The road doesn’t get any easier this week, considering Arizona travels to 5-1 Houston, while Arizona State hosts No. 7 Texas Tech.

But, hey, pressure makes diamonds, right?

There’s still so much for both teams to play for — the Sun Devils are still 2-1 in the conference, and a win over the unbeaten Red Raiders would vault them right back into the Big 12 title conversation. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are just two games shy of bowl eligibility, and still have the opportunity to erase the bad memory of last year’s 4-8 campaign.

No. 7 Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Arizona State (4-2, 2-1)
Game info: Saturday, 1 pm, FOX
bet365 odds: Arizona State +7.5
Last Meeting: L, 30-22 (Sept. 21, 2024)

The Sun Devils may have gotten the best news of all yesterday, as starting quarterback Sam Leavitt appears to be on the cusp of returning.

Wouldn’t happen a moment too soon, either, considering ASU struggled to get anything going with backup Jeff Sims under center last week. The 42-10 loss in Salt Lake City resulted in just 124 passing yards, averaging just 3.3 yards per pass.

The ASU star has been practicing this week and is listed as probable, and he’ll have his work cut out for him against a Red Raiders defense that ranks seventh in the nation in points allowed per game (12.2), and ninth overall in total yards allowed per game (256.8). Tech has beaten a few impressive opponents, rocking then-No. 16 Utah 34-10 in Salt Lake City before following that up with a 35-11 win at Houston the following week.

Spoiler alert — it’s the only loss this season for either of those two teams.

Can Leavitt and Co. find a way through the Red Raider defense to help keep pace in the game? It’s a must, especially considering just how gifted Texas Tech’s offense has been this season.

That brings us to our next point — The Red Raiders boast the top offense in the league. They’re first in total yards per game (558.2), second in points per game (47.5) and third in passing yards per game (325.3). This is after six games, well into the conference schedule, so it’s not just a bunch of numbers that have been run up.

This. team. is. GOOD.

Arizona State is not going to be able to shut down so much talent, but it does need to limit the damage, and that starts by not allowing the dreaded big play. ASU’s defense is middle-of-the-pack when it comes to yards allowed per game (336.2), and only four teams in the Big 12 allow more points per game.

Red Raiders starting quarterback Behren Morton was listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report, and has been experiencing lingering effects from an injury that chased him from last week’s win over Kansas.

Arizona (4-2, 1-2) at Houston (5-1, 2-1)
Game info: Saturday, 9 am, FS1
bet365 odds: Arizona -1.0
Last Meeting: W, 27-3 (Nov. 15, 2024)

What a difference a year makes.

When these two teams met last season, the Wildcats were struggling, but came away with a dominant 27-3 win over Houston. That loss was the first of three straight by the Cougars to close the season, finishing 4-8 and outside of the bowl eligibility picture.

This season, both schools have a lot at stake.

Houston is fresh off a 22-point win over Big 12 doormat Oklahoma State, and has its sights set on a special season with just one loss to this point.

The Cougars become bowl eligible with a win, but their body of work hasn’t been terribly convincing to this point just yet. They beat Colorado by 16 at home — their best win of the season — and then squeaked by Oregon State 27-24 on the road three weeks ago.

Perhaps most importantly, though, the offense hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut, and that’s where the Wildcats can cash in. Houston has averaged the fifth-fewest yards per game in the Big 12 (378.3) and sixth-fewest points per game (29.2). To put that in perspective, Arizona averages 422.2 yards per game and 32.2 points per game.

The Wildcats have shown one of the stingiest defenses in the conference, limiting teams to 275.7 yards per game and 18.5 points per game.

Quarterback Noah Fifita continues to climb the ranks in the Arizona football record books, and could use a performance for the ages against a team that’s in the upper echelon of defenses in the conference. Fifita was effective last week against BYU, throwing for 219 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and will need to be every bit as effective — if not moreso — against a Cougars team that has allowed just 17.5 points per game.

Fifita needs to lead the way, and if he does, the slightly-favored Wildcats can come away with a win against this Cougars team.

A Good Sign: Good news from coach Jonathan Gannon yesterday, as 2025 first-round draft pick Walter Nolen III officially had his practice window opened. The rookie missed essentially all of training camp with an injured calf, and his eventual debut will be a big boost to the defensive line.

Patience … it will be baby steps, as Nolen has not even practiced in pads yet as a pro. But it’s exciting nonetheless!

As for the rest — Kyler Murray was limited in practice, and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is in concussion protocol.

Golden: Congrats to Corbin Carroll, who was named a gold glove finalist for right field in the National League. Carroll has never won the honor, and faces stiff competition against the other finalists — San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. and Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick.

Carroll is the only finalist the D-backs boast this year, and it’s the first time he has been nominated.

To the House: The D-backs hired J.R. House as their third base coach, bringing him back after he spent seven years in the organization from 2012-2018. House most recently served in the same capacity for the Cincinnati Reds, and will hopefully bring some stability to the role after a rocky 2025 season with Shaun Larkin.

Catch up on everything Cardinals!

Catching wind that Sam Leavitt may return on Saturday