After a 2-1 record in the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Sun Devils turn to the Big 12 for the rest of the regular season, opening on the road in Waco against the Baylor Bears.
The Bears were one of the hottest teams in the conference last season, winning their final six regular season games and remaining mathematically alive for the Big 12 championship game until completion of the final week of the season.
Dave Aranda turned around a Bears team that finished 3-9 in 2023 to a tie for 5th in 2024 before losing to LSU in the Texas Bowl, easing speculation that he would be on the hot seat entering his 6th season as head coach.