Game Day Primer / Sat, Oct 31
AWAY TEAM
4–3
HOME TEAM
6–1
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Expert Terms
01 / Why this game matters
The Vampire Cougs have a Halloween problem: kickoff is at 1:30 in the afternoon. The team earned that nickname with years of late-night wins. Now No. 8 BYU must answer its first loss, at UCF, against an Arizona State team that makes the most of missed tackles.
02 / Know these people
Reed Harris / The catch is only the beginning
Arizona State · Wide Receiver (WR)
Through seven games, he has 800 receiving yards and ranks eighth nationally with 157 . BYU defensive backs must wrap him up and take him to the ground.
Bear Bachmeier / A dual threat quarterback
BYU · Quarterback (QB)
He has seven rushing touchdowns this season. Near the goal line, watch whether Arizona State follows the running back and leaves him room to keep the ball.
03 / Watch for this
After an Arizona State catch, watch whether the first BYU defender brings the receiver down or gets dragged along. If the ASU receiver makes the first defender miss, watch out.
04 / Sound smart
The Vampire Cougs have won their last 8 on Halloween. Will that streak continue or will the daylight wreak havoc?
The central storyline
The Vampire Cougs have a Halloween problem: kickoff is at 1:30 in the afternoon. The team earned that nickname with years of late-night wins. Now No. 8 BYU must answer its first loss, at UCF, against an Arizona State team that makes the most of missed tackles.
A read on both sides
Arizona State
Team vibe
Unranked Arizona State is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12, with both convincing wins and heavy losses. So far this season they average 30.9 points per game, but give up 29.9. The offense produces more passing than rushing yards, but freshman running back ’s breakout against Kansas State gives the Sun Devils a running threat to bring into a difficult road setting. Playing away from Phoenix has not been kind as they have lost both road games in 2026.
BYU
Team vibe
No. 8 BYU is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12. Across seven games, its 193.7 rushing yards per game and 18.6 points allowed prove they shine on both sides of the ball. The Cougars won their first six, including Notre Dame, before the UCF defeat. All four home games have been wins. After a rough trip to UCF’s Bounce House, BYU gets to come home to LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: The distance BYU needs when the broadcast shows third down.
If you see it: BYU repeatedly faces two or three yards instead of eight or nine.
Here's what it means: The early plays are giving BYU options: a run is still a realistic way to get the first down. Repeated third-and-long situations would leave the offense in obvious passing situations.
On screen
Look for: How long it takes a defender to get a hand on ASU running back after he gets the ball.
If you see it: is already several yards beyond the line of scrimmage before that contact.
Here's what it means: ASU’s blockers are giving the run a head start. If he is being hit behind the line instead, last week’s rushing success is much harder to carry into Provo.
The central storyline
The Vampire Cougs have a Halloween problem: kickoff is at 1:30 in the afternoon. The team earned that nickname with years of late-night wins. Now No. 8 BYU must answer its first loss, at UCF, against an Arizona State team that makes the most of missed tackles.
A read on both sides
Arizona State
Team vibe
Unranked Arizona State is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12, with both convincing wins and heavy losses. So far this season they average 30.9 points per game, but give up 29.9. The offense produces more passing than rushing yards, but freshman running back ’s breakout against Kansas State gives the Sun Devils a running threat to bring into a difficult road setting. Playing away from Phoenix has not been kind as they have lost both road games in 2026.
BYU
Team vibe
No. 8 BYU is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12. Across seven games, its 193.7 rushing yards per game and 18.6 points allowed prove they shine on both sides of the ball. The Cougars won their first six, including Notre Dame, before the UCF defeat. All four home games have been wins. After a rough trip to UCF’s Bounce House, BYU gets to come home to LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: The distance BYU needs when the broadcast shows third down.
If you see it: BYU repeatedly faces two or three yards instead of eight or nine.
Here's what it means: The early plays are giving BYU options: a run is still a realistic way to get the first down. Repeated third-and-long situations would leave the offense in obvious passing situations.
On screen
Look for: How long it takes a defender to get a hand on ASU running back after he gets the ball.
If you see it: is already several yards beyond the line of scrimmage before that contact.
Here's what it means: ASU’s blockers are giving the run a head start. If he is being hit behind the line instead, last week’s rushing success is much harder to carry into Provo.
Players & Coaches
Players & Coaches
Arizona State · Wide Receiver (WR)
Through seven games, he has 800 receiving yards and ranks eighth nationally with 157 . BYU defensive backs must wrap him up and take him to the ground.
Players & Coaches
BYU · Quarterback (QB)
He has seven rushing touchdowns this season. Near the goal line, watch whether Arizona State follows the running back and leaves him room to keep the ball.
Players & Coaches
Arizona State · Running Back (RB)
He ran for 159 yards and four scores against Kansas State. BYU allows only 98.1 rushing yards per game, if Mack replicates this in Provo fans will probably spend more time in line for a cougar tail than in their seats.
Players & Coaches
BYU · Wide Receiver (WR)
His 28 catches have produced 498 yards and four touchdowns. That is nearly 18 yards a catch: if he gets the ball with space to run, watch out!
Players & Coaches
Arizona State · Linebacker (LB)
He leads ASU with 64 tackles through seven games. Watch for him when BYU tries to turn a short run into the next first down.
The Stakes
BYU is 3-1 in the Big 12, chasing 4-0 Utah with a visit to the Utes next week. A win sends the Cougars into that rivalry game at 4-1 in conference. ASU is seeking its first top-10 road win since 2015.
Why it matters
BYU’s most convincing answer would be making ordinary plays look ordinary again: finish a tackle, keep a manageable third down, complete the assignment. turns small defensive errors into extra yards. Keeping mistakes to a minimum, and not running questionable fake punts, should allow the talented BYU team to control the game.
Why it matters
’s big day came against Kansas State at home. BYU’s season-long run defense and ASU’s unsettled quarterback situation make this a revealing follow-up: sustained running room would give the Sun Devils a way to help whoever takes the snaps, instead of asking him to manufacture every drive.
History & Context
History & Context
From 2019 through October 2, 2025, BYU went 32-4 in games that started at 7 p.m. or later.
History & Context
In BYU’s 27-17 home win over ASU, running back Tyler Allgeier chased down an interception return and punched the ball loose. Quarterback Jaren Hall recovered for BYU.
History & Context
Arizona State won 28-23 in Tempe, but fans rushed the field before the game was actually over. Officials restored one second, cleared the field and gave BYU a final Hail Mary that fell short. ASU went on to win the Big 12 championship.
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters
Scheduling the Vampire Cougs for an afternoon game on Halloween seems unnecessarily cruel.
Conversation Starters
The last two BYU–ASU games gave us Allgeier chasing down an interception and fans celebrating before the clock expired. What fun are we in for during this meeting?
Conversation Starters
has 157 receiving yards after contact. How many more will he get during this game?