ASU hops across the pond to face Kansas in Big 12 Opener

Screenshot

(Photo: Courtesy of Sun Devil Football)

When Arizona State (1-1) joined the Big 12 Conference in 2024, it likely imagined UCF as the farthest travel destination on the schedule – not across the Atlantic Ocean.

Now, the Sun Devils travel across the pond to face Kansas (1-1) in their first Big 12 matchup of the season.

With both teams coming off their first losses of the year, the Union Jack Classic presents an opportunity for the victor to turn the page and build momentum.

ASU heads into Saturday still carrying the sting of its loss to then-No. 10 Texas A&M. The Sun Devils kept it close for three quarters, entering the final period only down 24-20. But a fourth-quarter collapse, marked by three consecutive drives ending in turnovers, left ASU walking off Kyle Field on the wrong side of a 48-20 defeat.

Kansas is coming off its “Border War” bout with rival then-No. 23 Missouri. From a rivalry defined by a state line to a game separated by an ocean, the Jayhawks’ next border crossing is considerably more expansive.

Much like ASU, the Jayhawks 38-21 loss was defined by turnovers. Kansas and Missouri were knotted at 14 at halftime, but a third-quarter interception by Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall, along with an inability to find an offensive rhythm, led to a Tiger takeover in the second half.

One of Kansas’ biggest weaknesses was its defensive line. The group finished with zero sacks or quarterback hurries last week. This allowed Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons to find his tempo throughout the night. Simmons passed for a season-high 292 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

If the Jayhawks’ defense echoes that performance against ASU, the Sun Devils could be in line for a fruitful evening on the scoreboard. So far this season, ASU third-year quarterback Cutter Boley has only been sacked once. When given proper protection, Boley has looked good as a passer. He only started to struggle when Texas A&M ramped up its pressure in the second half.

A key factor that could tilt the game in Kansas’ favor is special teams. ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham talked about the impact it might have in his weekly press conference.

“You better dial it up and we better have the best field goal block unit,” Dillingham told his team. “Kansas just blocked two field goals last week”

The Jayhawks’ first score of the game came from a blocked field goal that was returned 88 yards for a touchdown.

Kansas ranks at the top of the Big 12 in terms of special teams, according to PFF, with a 90.7 grade.

Special teams has been a point of concern for ASU throughout the Dillingham era. Year by year, another issue arises. In 2024, it was the kicking. In 2025, it was the punting. So far in 2026, the Sun Devils have made two impactful mistakes on special teams.

A botched fake punt attempt and a muffed punt return helped turn the tide in favor of Texas A&M last week. Kansas could look to take advantage of ASU’s special teams woes on Saturday.

The notion that special teams could prove pivotal is fitting, considering the game will be played at Wembley Stadium – a venue where the ball is far more accustomed to being kicked than thrown.

Wembley has hosted a number of American football games throughout its history, but never a college football contest.

The first American football game to be played at London’s iconic stadium was in 1984, when the United States Football League’s Philadelphia Stars and Tampa Bay Bandits matched up in an exhibition game. The Stars won the game 24-21.

The NFL played numerous preseason and exhibition games throughout the 1980s, but never committed to bringing a regular season game to Wembley until 2007. The New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins 13-10 in the first installment of the NFL London Games. Since then, the NFL has played at least one game in London for 19 of the last 20 seasons.

Saturday’s bout will be the first time an FBS game is played in London, but not the very first college football game. The Richmond Spiders and the Boston Terriers faced off in the first and only “Imperial Bowl” at London’s Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Richmond won the game 20-17.

Only about 2,5000 fans were in attendance for the matchup. That number will grow exponentially for the second college football game in London. It’s estimated that around 60,000 fans will be in the stands for ASU vs. Kansas.

Many Sun Devil fans have made the journey across the Atlantic to watch their team take the field at Wembley. On Saturday, the stadium is expected to be littered with maroon and gold.

Just for a day, Big 12 territory gets even bigger.