Honestly, nobody expected the desert to get this weird this fast. When Arizona State officially joined the Big 12, everyone talked about the "four corners" schools and the geographical fit. But the actual on-field product? It’s been pure, unadulterated madness. If you’ve been following Texas Tech vs Arizona State, you know we aren't just talking about two schools that happen to be in the same conference now. We are talking about a matchup that has quickly become a blueprint for why Big 12 after-dark football is the best (and most stressful) thing on television.
Take the October 18, 2025, game in Tempe. Texas Tech rolled into Mountain America Stadium ranked No. 7 in the country. They were 6-0. They looked like a playoff lock. Then, the "Desert Voodoo" happened.
The Night the Rankings Died in Tempe
Texas Tech fans are probably still seeing Sam Leavitt in their nightmares. The Red Raiders entered that game as 7.5-point favorites, which felt safe given how dominant their defense had been. But the Sun Devils, led by coach Kenny Dillingham, have turned into a team that simply refuses to die at home.
The game was a brutal, back-and-forth grind that saw Tech lose starting quarterback Behren Morton to a knee injury. That changed everything. Freshman Will Hammond stepped in and actually looked great, orchestrating a late 12-point comeback that put Tech ahead 22-19 with just a couple of minutes left.
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But Sam Leavitt? He’s basically a magician in the fourth quarter.
He drove ASU 75 yards, converting a massive 33-yarder to Jordyn Tyson on 4th-and-2. It was one of those plays where you just knew the upset was coming. Raleek Brown punched in a 1-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left, and just like that, Tech’s undefeated season was over. Arizona State 26, Texas Tech 22. The goalposts ended up on the turf. It was peak college football.
Texas Tech vs Arizona State: A History of High Scores
While the 2025 game was a defensive slugfest for three quarters, the history of Texas Tech vs Arizona State is usually written in points. Lots of them.
You’ve got to look back to 2016 and 2017 to see how this thing really started heating up. In 2016, ASU won a 68-55 shootout in Tempe. Yes, you read that right. 68 to 55. Patrick Mahomes II was the quarterback for Tech that day, throwing for 540 yards and five touchdowns, and his team still lost.
The following year in Lubbock, Nic Shimonek (who took over after Mahomes went to the NFL) put up 543 yards and six touchdowns to lead Tech to a 52-45 win. Basically, if these two teams play, you should probably bet the over and prepare for a four-hour game.
Recent Football Matchups
| Date | Location | Result | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 2025 | Tempe, AZ | ASU 26, TTU 22 | ASU upsets #7 Tech with 34 seconds left. |
| Sept 21, 2024 | Lubbock, TX | TTU 30, ASU 22 | Tech wins ASU's Big 12 debut; Tahj Brooks goes off. |
| Sept 16, 2017 | Lubbock, TX | TTU 52, ASU 45 | Shimonek throws for 543 yards. |
| Sept 10, 2016 | Tempe, AZ | ASU 68, TTU 55 | Kalen Ballage ties FBS record with 8 TDs. |
It Isn't Just Football—The Court Is Just as Wild
While the gridiron gets the most headlines, the hardwood rivalry is arguably more intense right now. In February 2025, we saw one of the wildest basketball games in recent memory. Texas Tech outlasted Arizona State 111-106 in a double-overtime thriller.
JT Toppin was an absolute monster in that game, putting up 41 points and 15 rebounds. Think about that for a second. A 40/15 game in a high-stakes Big 12 matchup. Arizona State’s Adam Miller and BJ Freeman combined for over 40 themselves, but the Red Raiders just had too much depth in the end.
The rematch in March 2025 wasn't nearly as close—Tech blew them out 85-57—but the bad blood is clearly there. With ASU's Alston Mason and Basheer Jihad constantly pushing the pace, and Tech's Grant McCasland running a disciplined but aggressive system, these games are becoming "must-watch" for anyone who likes fast-break basketball and loud crowds.
Why This Rivalry Works (and Why It’s Getting Meaner)
There is a weird symmetry between Lubbock and Tempe. Both fanbases feel a bit slighted by the "traditional" powers in their regions. Both schools have coaches (Joey McGuire and Kenny Dillingham) who are high-energy, elite recruiters, and seemingly fueled entirely by Red Bull.
The transfer portal has also added a layer of spice. Take Jalin Conyers, for example. He was a standout tight end for Arizona State for three seasons before transferring back to his home state to play for Texas Tech. In the 2024 matchup, he scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown against his former team. You could tell that one meant a little something extra.
Then you have guys like kicker Ian Hershey, who literally switched sides, moving from ASU to Tech. When these teams see each other on the schedule, it’s not just about the win-loss column anymore. It’s about which program is truly the "new power" in the expanded Big 12.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most national analysts look at Texas Tech vs Arizona State and think it’s a secondary rivalry behind things like the Holy War (BYU vs Utah) or Tech vs Oklahoma State. They're wrong.
What people miss is the recruiting overlap. Both schools are fighting for the same four-star kids in Texas, Arizona, and California. When ASU pulls a kid out of Dallas, Joey McGuire takes it personally. When Tech grabs a defender from Phoenix, Dillingham notices.
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The investment is also real. Arizona State recently made a massive financial commitment to keep Dillingham and boost their NIL resources. They aren't trying to be a "middle of the pack" Big 12 team. They want what Tech has—a consistent top-25 presence and a path to the 12-team playoff.
Survival Tips for the Next Game
If you're planning on betting or even just watching the next installment of this series, keep a few things in mind.
- Ignore the Rankings: As we saw in 2025, being the No. 7 team in the country means nothing when you step into the desert heat. ASU thrives on being the underdog.
- Watch the Trenches: Tech’s defensive line, anchored by guys like David Bailey (the Stanford transfer who cost a pretty penny in NIL), is elite. But ASU’s offensive line has been revamped to handle that specific pressure.
- The Jordyn Tyson Factor: If you don't bracket Jordyn Tyson, he will ruin your Saturday. He’s the most explosive receiver in the conference, and Tech's Brice Pollack had his hands full trying to contain him in their last meeting.
- Quarterback Health: This has been the deciding factor in the last two football games. If Behren Morton is healthy, Tech’s offense is a juggernaut. If he’s out, the playbook shrinks significantly.
The Big 12 is wide open now that Texas and Oklahoma are gone. While schools like Utah and Kansas State get the "preseason favorite" nods, the path to the championship might actually run through the winner of the Tech and ASU game. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what college sports should be.
Take Actionable Steps for the Next Season:
- Season Ticket Holders: Check your "away game" lottery status early if you're a Tech fan. The Tempe trip is one of the most popular on the schedule for a reason.
- Stat Tracking: Keep a close eye on the "Yards After Contact" stats for Arizona State's Raleek Brown and Tech's backfield. In a rivalry this close, the game is usually won by the team that breaks the most tackles in the fourth quarter.
- NIL Impact: Follow the Wreck 'Em Red or Cronkite News feeds to see which transfers are moving between these specific regions. The "portal pipeline" between West Texas and Arizona is only going to get busier.