Tempe, Arizona (AP) – This year the Territorial Cup will be full of juice.
The rivalry involving the McKinley presidency will take on a huge increase in intensity on Friday night, when Arizona faces Arizona State in one of the most anticipated Territorial Cup games in a decade.
Both teams are a work in progress, both still have a lot to play for and yes, they still don’t like each other.
“There’s a lot about rivalry games that make them so fun and exciting, but when you have two teams come together that are both playing good football, it adds a little extra juice,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said.
The Territorial Cup has featured lopsided victories in recent years – the latest, a 49–7 win over Arizona State in Tucson – as programs have consistently worked hard to earn a spot.
this year will be different.
Arizona State is coming off its first College Football Playoff appearance and despite several injuries this season in its third year under coach Kenny Dillingham – is still in the mix for second – though a long shot.
Arizona took a big leap in its second season under Brennan, going on a four-game winning streak after winning four the previous season.
Result: Both rivals have achieved eight wins apiece in territorial cup play for the first time since 2014.
“It’s amazing to play this game with two very good football teams,” Dillingham said. “I think that’s what you want. You want this game to matter. It’s awesome that it matters.”
Dillingham has contributed by returning the Sun Devils to the national spotlight.
Arizona State battled injuries and went 3-9 in its first season under the ASU alumnus in 2023 before putting together one of the program’s best seasons.
Led by quarterback Sam Leavitt and battering-ram running back Cam Scatebo, the Sun Devils won the Big 12 Championship in their first season in the league and reached the CFP for the first time last year.
Skattebo is now in the NFL and Leavitt suffered a season-ending foot injury in early November, yet Arizona State has found ways to win.
Quarterback Jeff Sims has filled Leavitt’s shoes well and the Sun Devils (8-3, 6-2 Big 12) have an outside chance to play in the Big 12 championship game again after beating Colorado 42-17 last week. Arizona State’s rise and Dillingham’s enthusiasm have ignited a fan base that has been disappointing at times over the past few years, leading to sellouts of every home game this season.
“It definitely makes it more exciting for the fans, knowing that both teams are coming into it playing good football – and I think that’s what should happen,” Brennan said. “You want these games to have a big impact.”
Brennan has made a similar turnaround in his second year in Tucson.
The former San Jose State coach inherited a program coming off a 10-win season under Coach Jed Fish, but he had trouble gaining any traction in his first season in Tucson. But after finishing 4-8 last year, the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3) have turned the story around behind dynamic quarterback Noah Fifita and a tough defense that is one of the nation’s best after being one of the worst a year ago.
“They’re playing as good football as anybody in our league right now,” Dillingham said.
Similarly, the Sun Devils are also adding a lot of juice to the Territorial Cup.
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