College football has a weird way of making strangers into bitter rivals overnight. Honestly, until very recently, a matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Arizona State Sun Devils felt like something you’d only see in a random December bowl game or a one-off non-conference slate. But things changed. Real fast. With the Big 12 expansion, these two programs are now neighbors in a crowded, chaotic conference house.
If you're looking for a deep history, you won't find one. Before 2024, they had literally never played each other. Not once. No old-school leather helmet battles from the 40s. No weird 1970s shootouts. Just a blank slate that got filled with a ton of drama very quickly.
The 2024 Shocker in Tempe
The first-ever meeting between these schools on October 5, 2024, was basically a fever dream. And I mean that literally. It was 107 degrees at kickoff in Tempe, setting a record for the hottest October game at Mountain America Stadium. You’ve got to feel for the Kansas guys coming from the Midwest and running into a literal furnace.
Kansas was desperate. They had lost four straight games, mostly in heartbreaking fashion. Arizona State, under Kenny Dillingham, was the surprise story of the Big 12, playing with a sort of "nothing to lose" energy that is terrifying to face.
The game was a back-and-forth mess in the best way possible. There were six lead changes in the second half alone. Jalon Daniels, the KU quarterback who has dealt with more injuries than any human should, looked like his old self. He threw a 34-yard dime to Quentin Skinner with about two minutes left to put KU up 31-28. For a second, it looked like Kansas was finally going to snap the skid.
Then Cam Skattebo happened.
If you haven't watched Skattebo play, he’s basically a human bowling ball with a motor that doesn't quit. He ripped off a 39-yard run on the final drive. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt—a freshman playing like a ten-year vet—then floated a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson with 16 seconds on the clock.
Final score: Arizona State 35, Kansas 31.
It was a gut-punch for Lance Leipold’s squad and a massive "we’re here" statement for the Sun Devils.
Why This Matchup is the New Big 12 Chaos Standard
Kinda strange how quickly a game can define two programs, right? For KU football vs Arizona State sun devils football matches, that 2024 game set a specific tone: expect high scoring, late-game collapses, and elite individual performances.
Kansas usually brings a very disciplined, run-heavy scheme under Leipold, though they’ve opened it up more with Jalon Daniels and Devin Neal. Neal is a hometown hero in Lawrence and arguably one of the most underrated backs in the country. Arizona State, on the other hand, is built on Dillingham’s "Valley" culture—fast, aggressive, and incredibly reliant on the transfer portal to fill gaps.
The contrast is fascinating. You have Kansas, a program that was the laughingstock of the Power Five for a decade, slowly climbing out of the basement through stability. Then you have ASU, a program that had a proud history but fell into a tailspin, now trying to rocket back to the top through pure "Big 12 After Dark" energy.
Breaking Down the Key Players
- Jalon Daniels (QB, Kansas): When he’s healthy, he’s a top-tier dual-threat. The problem is "when."
- Cam Skattebo (RB, Arizona State): He does everything. He runs, he catches, he even punts. He is the heart of the Sun Devils.
- Devin Neal (RB, Kansas): A total workhorse. If KU is winning, it’s usually because Neal has 100+ yards.
- Sam Leavitt (QB, Arizona State): The future. His poise in that 2024 final drive showed he’s the real deal.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
So, where does this go? The Big 12 is a meat grinder. There is no Texas or Oklahoma to act as the "final boss" anymore, so every game feels like a toss-up.
The next time these two meet, the stakes will likely be even higher. Arizona State proved in 2024 that they can compete for the conference title, finishing the season much stronger than anyone predicted. Kansas, meanwhile, is in a "prove it" era. They have the talent and the coaching, but they need to figure out how to win the close ones.
Basically, this isn't just a football game; it’s a clash of identities. You have the desert versus the prairie.
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If you are betting on these games, keep an eye on the turnover margin. In the 2024 game, Kansas didn't actually turn the ball over once, but they still lost because they couldn't get a stop when it mattered. Arizona State has a knack for "winning ugly," which is a compliment in this conference.
What You Should Watch For
Next time the schedule drops, circle this game. If it’s in Lawrence, the atmosphere at the renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (or wherever they’re playing during construction) will be electric. If it’s in Tempe, pray for a night game so the players don't melt.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Both teams tend to move the ball well, but KU has struggled at times to turn those yards into six points.
- Home Field Advantage: Traveling to the desert is a nightmare for teams from the Central Time Zone. The heat is a real factor.
- The Coaching Battle: Leipold is a tactician. Dillingham is an emotional leader. It’s a great chess match.
Honestly, the Big 12 needed a jolt, and this pairing provides it. It’s not Oklahoma-Texas, and it’s not the Sunflower Showdown, but it’s high-quality football that usually goes down to the last minute.
For fans of either team, the best move is to check the official athletic sites (kuathletics.com or thesundevils.com) for ticket alerts the second the conference schedule is finalized each spring. These games are becoming "sell-out" events because the parity is so high.
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To stay ahead of the curve, you should track the transfer portal movements for both schools in the off-season. Arizona State lives and dies by the portal, while Kansas is becoming more selective. The roster you see in September might look nothing like the one from the year before. Stay updated on injury reports for Jalon Daniels, as his presence completely changes the betting line for any KU game.