You've probably heard the noise by now. People are looking at the ASU football schedule 2025 and acting like it’s just another year in the Big 12 grind. Honestly? They’re missing the bigger picture. After the absolute whirlwind of 2024, where Kenny Dillingham basically willed this team into the national conversation, the 2025 slate isn't just a list of games. It’s a gauntlet that determines if the Sun Devils are actually "back" or if they just caught lightning in a bottle for a season.
Tempe is buzzing. It's different this time. You can feel it when you walk past Mountain America Stadium. There’s this weird mix of "we expect to win" and "please don't let the transfer portal kill us."
Why the ASU Football Schedule 2025 is a Minefield
Let’s be real for a second. The Big 12 is a mess of parity. There are no "easy" Saturdays anymore, and the 2025 schedule proves it. ASU has to navigate a path that includes some brutal travel and a non-conference game that is a total trap.
The Non-Conference Warmup (Sorta)
The season kicks off on August 30 against Northern Arizona. Look, on paper, it’s a win. But NAU coming into Tempe is always a "Super Bowl" for the Lumberjacks. Dillingham knows this. He grew up here. He’s not letting the guys sleep on a team that finished 8-4 and made the FCS playoffs last year.
Then things get spicy.
On September 6, the Sun Devils fly to Starkville to face Mississippi State. SEC road games are a different breed of loud. Even if the Bulldogs struggled last year, playing at Davis Wade Stadium is a nightmare for a young quarterback like Sam Leavitt. If ASU survives that, they come back home for Texas State on September 13. Do not overlook the Bobcats. They’re fast, they’re aggressive, and they would love nothing more than to ruin a Power 4 team’s season on national TV.
The Big 12 Grind: Week by Week
Once the conference play hits, the schedule turns into a survival horror game. ASU’s first Big 12 test is September 20 at Baylor. Waco in September is basically a sauna with goalposts.
The home stretch in October is where the season will be won or lost.
- September 26 (Friday): vs. TCU. A short week. A Friday night under the lights. These are the games that make or break a coach's reputation.
- October 11: at Utah. This is the one everyone circled. Salt Lake City in October is cold, the altitude is real, and the Utes are always physical.
- October 18: vs. Texas Tech. This is the Hall of Fame game. The Red Raiders are a top contender, and if ASU wants to be taken seriously, they have to defend the home turf here.
- October 25: vs. Houston. Family Weekend. Expect a lot of gold in the stands and a lot of pressure on the defense.
The November Gauntlet
November is where the injuries pile up and the weather turns. ASU goes to Iowa State on November 1, which is never fun. Jack Trice Stadium is a place where dreams go to die in the wind. After a much-needed bye, they host West Virginia on November 15.
Then comes the "Sanders-less" Colorado on November 22. Everyone's wondering how the Buffaloes will look without Shedeur and Travis Hunter. We’ll find out in Boulder.
Finally, the big one. The Territorial Cup.
November 28 (Friday). vs. Arizona.
The Wildcats took the cup last year in a 23-7 win that still stings in Tempe. Closing the regular season at home against your rival with potential Big 12 Championship implications? That’s what college football is about.
The "Dillingham Effect" and the Roster Reality
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: the roster. ASU is returning a massive chunk of their defense—10 starters. That’s almost unheard of in the modern era. Brian Ward, the defensive coordinator, has these guys playing like they’ve got a chip on their shoulder the size of Camelback Mountain.
But the offense? That's where it gets tricky. Raleek Brown is gone to the NFL. Sam Leavitt is the guy, but the wide receiver room is a revolving door of portal talent. Kenny Dillingham is an offensive wizard, sure, but you can’t scheme your way out of everything.
🔗 Read more: Why the 2014 Alabama Crimson Tide Team Was Lane Kiffin’s Real Masterpiece
What the Experts are Missing
Most national pundits look at the ASU football schedule 2025 and see an 8-4 or 7-5 team. They see the losses to Utah and the struggle at Mississippi State. But they aren't looking at the depth.
Dillingham didn't just recruit players; he recruited depth.
The Sun Devils were one of the only teams in the Big 12 to go undefeated at home in 2024. If they can protect Mountain America Stadium again, that preseason AP ranking of 11th might actually be too low.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on following the Sun Devils this year, you need a strategy. This isn't just about showing up to the tailgate.
- Check the Kickoff Times: The Big 12 loves those late-night "After Dark" windows. Stay hydrated for those 7:30 PM MST starts; the desert heat doesn't care if the sun is down.
- Monitor the Secondary: Keep an eye on the transfer corners like Nyland Green. If they can't hold up in man coverage against Texas Tech or West Virginia, the schedule becomes much harder.
- Watch the Cold Weather Gear: If you’re traveling to Boulder or Ames in November, pack more than just a hoodie. Those games are brutal.
The path to the Sun Bowl (where ASU unfortunately fell to Duke 42-39 at the end of last year) or even the College Football Playoff is narrow. It requires winning the games you're "supposed" to win and stealing one on the road in a hostile environment.
Keep an eye on the injury reports heading into the October 4th bye week. That's the pivot point. If they're healthy coming out of that break, the second half of the schedule is much more manageable. Get your tickets early for the Territorial Cup; it's going to be a sellout regardless of the records.
Next Steps for Sun Devil Nation:
Stay updated on the official Sun Devil Athletics site for any flex-scheduling changes, especially for the Friday night matchups which are subject to TV network whims. You should also track the Big 12 standings weekly, as the tie-breaker rules in this 16-team league are incredibly complex and will likely come down to the final weekend in November.