For the fourth straight year, the "Duel in the Desert" between the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils for the Territorial Cup at in Tucson will kick off in the afternoon.
Following Arizona's 49-28 loss to TCU in Fort Worth, the Wildcats announced their final game of the season against ASU at Arizona Stadium will start on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on Fox.
Arizona is an 8.5-point underdog, according to DraftKings; FanDuel has the Wildcats as 7.5-point underdogs. The over/under for Saturday is 51.5 points, per Action Network.
The Wildcats have won the last two Territorial Cup games after losing the previous five. Arizona routed ASU 59-23 last season in Tempe and was led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who set the school record — and Territorial Cup record — with 527 passing yards. Fifita's top target, longtime teammate Tetairoa McMillan, who recently became the UA's all-time receiving yards leader, hauled in 11 catches for 266 yards (a Territorial Cup record) and a touchdown.
Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) hoists the cup after the Wildcats won the the 97th Territorial Cup with a 59-23 road win over rival ASU on Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe.
With Arizona (4-7) out of bowl contention, the upcoming rivalry game is the last game of the season for the Wildcats. No. 21-ranked ASU (9-2), following its win over No. 14 BYU on Saturday, is one win away from securing a spot in the Big 12 championship and potentially the College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils were voted to finish last in the 16-team preseason Big 12 media poll; Arizona was picked fifth.
“We have a great opportunity next week. That’s our bowl game, that’s our Super Bowl,” Fifita said on Saturday. “Being able to beat them at our home, send our seniors off the right way and keep the Territorial Cup in Tucson, that’s the end all, be all for us. ... It’s huge. Give credit where it’s due, they’re having a great year and we have a chance to spoil that. That’s our mindset, that’s our goal.
“It’s perfect because, yeah, we didn’t make a bowl game, it sucks, but we’re full speed ahead to go dominate our rival at home.”
Arizona is 50-45-1 all-time against the Sun Devils.
