WVU Football: Behind Enemy Lines (Arizona State Preview)

Opponent Preview: A Look at Arizona State Ahead of WVU Football ShowdownWest Virginia is riding a 2-game win streak as they head to Tempe, Arizona for a matchup with the 6-3 (4-2) Sun Devils of Arizona State. The Mountaineers will have their work cut out for them if they want to keep their streak and hopes of bowl eligibility alive. Let’s get familiar with the Sun Devils in this opponent preview. Arizona State (6-3, 4-2)Arizona State won the 2024 Big 12 Championship Game and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff last season. Following an overtime loss to Texas in a thrilling CFP game, expectations were high heading into 2025, with the Sun Devils ranked 11th in the AP preseason poll. How They Got HereArizona State picked up wins over Northern Arizona and Texas State in the non-conference while falling to Mississippi State in a 24-20 loss on the road. With a 4-2 start to Big 12 play, the Sun Devils have recorded one-score wins over Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, and, most recently, Iowa State on November 1st. Their two losses in conference play came in a 42-10 loss on the road at Utah and a 24-16 loss to Houston. When the Sun Devils host the Mountaineers on Saturday, they will be coming off a bye week. Sam Leavitt InjuryThe sophomore quarterback who led the Sun Devils to the CFP last season was ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery due to a lingering foot injury. Leavitt last appeared in the October 25th loss to Houston. Earning the start against Iowa State was college football journeyman Jeff Sims, who began his collegiate career in 2020 with Georgia Tech and, after a stop with Nebraska, began at Arizona State in 2024. Numbers to Know228Jeff Sims set a school record for a quarterback with 228 rushing yards in Arizona State’s 24-19 road win over Iowa State. Sims had an 88-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter. Sims totaled 3 total touchdowns on the day, including 2 on the ground in his 29 carries. While Zac Alley and the West Virginia defense are accustomed to squaring off against dual-threat QBs this season, none were coming off a more impressive performance than Jeff Sims. 57Arizona State standout receiver Jordyn Tyson leads the Big 12 with 57 receptions this season, including a 10-catch, 105-yard, 1 touchdown performance in the upset win over Texas Tech. ON the season, Tyson has 628 yards and 8 touchdowns. He has posted these high-level numbers in spite of missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. The Sun Devils are hopeful for a Tyson return against WVU. 24Arizona State’s defense hasn’t been overly impressive this season, as overall, they are about a middle of the pack team defensively in the Big 12. However, they have found success in getting after the quarterback with 24 sacks this season. After 7 sacks against Colorado, West Virginia also has 24 sacks on the season, which is tied for 3rd in the Big 12.