Tempe’s Friday night lights are expected to get a little brighter when No. 24 TCU arrives in town to play Arizona State in a Big 12 clash that has high stakes. A balanced offense that has already scored 125 points in three games, including a major win over SMU, has propelled the Horned Frogs to a 3-0 start. The Sun Devils are trying to show that their 3-1 record is more than just a strong start, while TCU aims to maintain its momentum.
For Arizona State, this is about more than just defending home turf; it’s about sending out a statement. After a thrilling victory over Baylor, the Sun Devils now face their season’s first ranked test in front of a national audience. Although the program hasn’t yet made the AP Top 25, eliminating TCU would very quickly change that discussion. The winner here takes a huge step toward being looked at as a serious contender, especially since the Big 12 picture is still up in the air.
If you’re watching tomorrow’s Arizona State vs. TCU game, you’re going to get some outstanding commentary. Former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner and Tim Brando, one of the most well-known voices in college athletics, will be calling the action. Brando has experience in a variety of sports, including basketball, NFL, MLB, and college football. He has a talent for making even the most tense situations feel exciting. His career spans decades, including stints at CBS and ESPN, and he has received accolades like the Lindsey Nelson and Jake Wade awards for his contributions to college sports broadcasting. He has been with FOX Sports since 2014.
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Devin Gardner, who brings his on-field expertise to the booth, will be joining him. Gardner, a former Wolverine standout at wide receiver and quarterback, knows how to read defenses and execute clutch plays under pressure. He has remained heavily involved in the game since retiring, serving as a sideline reporter, analyst, and mentor to young athletes in Detroit through his “Young Go Getters” program. Gardner’s player viewpoint and Brando’s experienced voice should work well together to make tonight’s Big 12 matchup fun to watch.
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Arizona State vs. TCU promises offense-filled drama
The Arizona State Sun Devils are trying to extend their winning streak to seven games at home, while TCU, ranked No. 24, is unbeaten and fresh off a major win over SMU. According to David Pollack, a college football analyst, the Sun Devils have a slight advantage: “This will be a high-scoring game. I’ll take Arizona State,” Pollack said. “But the Sun Devils are playing with fire too much. They need a full game – offense, defense, special teams.” With players like Raleek Brown and Jordyn Tyson on the field, Arizona State is all set to make an impression.
On the flip side, Josh Hoover, the quarterback for TCU, has been outstanding this year. In just three games, he has thrown for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he leads all college football quarterbacks in passing yards per game. Eric McAlister has been an incredible wide receiver, as evidenced by his explosive 254-yard, three-touchdown game against SMU. Hoover said, “For me, it’s all about winning games and doing my job. I’ve got a job to do each and every weekend. We’ve talked about it a bunch, but you go win games, good things happen.”
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