BYU coach Kalani Sitake said the 14th-ranked Cougars “just gotta refocus” after dropping eight spots in the College Football Playoff rankings coming off their first loss of the season.
The Cougars (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) will try to rebound from a 17-13 setback at home against Kansas when they visit No. 21 Arizona State (8-2, 5-2) on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.
“I am excited to see these guys play after this,” Sitake said Monday. “We have faced some adversity. We have faced a loss. Now we are able to learn from it. Let’s see what type of team comes out. This is a good moment for our identity to show.”
Arizona State won at then-No. 16 Kansas State 24-14 last week to earn its third straight victory and fifth in the last six games.
The game between the Cougars and Sun Devils is potentially for a spot in the Big 12 championship game with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
Colorado (8-2, 6-1) and Iowa State (8-2, 5-2) also are in the race among conference teams with two or fewer losses.
BYU was picked to finish 13th and Arizona State 16th (last) in the Big 12 in a preseason media poll.
“I feel a slight connection to them, because nobody cared about (either of) us before the season,” Sitake said. “To have this game be something with a lot of meaning is really cool at this point.”
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham believes the game is significant enough that he urged fans not to sell tickets to BYU supporters.
The Phoenix area, especially in the East Valley, has a large population of Mormons who are BYU fans.
“Have them show you an ASU hat or shirt or something,” Dillingham said to Arizona State fans during his weekly press conference.
Sitake called Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo one of the best in the nation at his position. He also said that BYU tried to lure Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt after he left Michigan State and entered the transfer portal.
Leavitt’s father, Jared, was a linebacker at BYU in the 1990s.
“He comes from a good family and he’s super athletic,” Sitake said. “He can run and has an accurate arm. I think he’s got a great fit, football IQ, and he’s so dangerous.”
Skattebo has rushed for 1,074 yards on 198 carries with 11 touchdowns. He also has 31 receptions for 448 yards with two scores.
Leavitt has thrown for 1,906 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 348 yards and four TDs.
BYU lacked in red-zone production against Kansas, scoring only six points without a touchdown in four trips there against Kansas.
The Cougars’ only score in the second half was a 35-yard field goal by Will Ferrin.
Their lone touchdown was a 30-yard pass from Jake Retzlaff to Hinckley Ropati in the second quarter.
Retzlaff has passed for 2,283 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has rushed for an additional 312 yards with four scores.
