We are just 11 days away from Texas A&M opening the 2026 season against Missouri State at Kyle Field, but a formidable Big 12 opponent awaits the Aggies in Week 2.
The Aggies and Sun Devils have met only once on the gridiron, and it was a 38-17 win for the Maroon and White back in 2015. This Arizona State football program is much different than teams of old, however. Entering his fourth season in Tempe, head coach Kenny Dillingham has completely revitalized the Sun Devils into a Big 12 contender. He led his 2024 squad to the College Football Playoff and went head-to-head with the Texas Longhorns in the quarterfinal Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Despite massive personnel changes on offense and defense, including a new starting quarterback and running
back in the desert, Dillingham will have his team motivated to come spoil the Aggies' season early.
On the second day of the 12-day, 12-opponent series, here is our preview of Texas A&M's matchup against Arizona State in College Station on Sept. 12.
Tale of the tape: Arizona State's defense
Defensive coordinator: Brian Ward
Defensive style: Traditional 4-3
Arizona State's defensive unit ranked seventh in the Big 12 in total defense last season, allowing 357.5 yards per contest. The offseason talk on the program has been primarily focused on the major steps the unit has taken and the steady improvement matched up against the Sun Devils' offense, however. The group reportedly had a handful of sacks and forced a couple of turnovers, but depth continues to be an issue entering the 2026 season. According to head coach Kenny Dillingham, Arkansas transfer cornerback Nigel Pringle will be out for the season with an injury, leaving another hole to be filled in the depth of the ASU secondary. The defensive unit has the talent, but the depth could be a lingering issue throughout the year.
Tale of the tape: Arizona State's offense
Offensive coordinator: Marcus Arroyo
Offensive style: Pro-spread
Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley enters his first season with the Sun Devils after throwing for 2,498 yards, 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions through two campaigns with the Wildcats. At 6-foot-5 and 213 pounds, Boley has the size and arm strength to be a solid quarterback for Dillingham, but the offensive line remains a massive question mark. There are tons of new, talented pieces to fit together after the departures of Sam Leavitt and Raleek Brown, but Arroyo is one of the best young coordinators in college football. He and Dillingham will have this offense firing on all cylinders once these new pieces click.
Game Prediction
Score prediction: Texas A&M 34 | Arizona State 17
If this game were later in the 2026 season, this could be much closer than predicted. However, Arizona State has a plethora of new pieces they will be trying to mesh together through the month of September. Texas A&M just has more depth than the Sun Devils at this moment. With the current unknowns in the ASU secondary, Marcel Reed and the speedy wide receiving corps should be able to find some success through the air. I expect Northwestern transfer edge rusher Anto Saka to have a big game, racking up multiple sacks on Boley, leading the Aggies to a 2-0 record to start the season.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 12 days, 12 opponents for the 12th Man: Previewing Arizona State
