Game Details:
- Matchup: Houston Cougars at Arizona State Sun Devils
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM EST
- Location: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, AZ
- Line: Arizona State -6.5, Total: 46.5
The Setup
The Arizona State Sun Devils, standing at a solid 5-2 and third in the Big 12, host the Houston Cougars for a conference showdown. While the Sun Devils have the better record and home-field advantage, the story of this game is overwhelmingly shaped by injuries, particularly on the Arizona State side. The Sun Devils will be without key offensive starters, making a potential conference win a significant challenge. Information on Houston is sparse, but they will look to take advantage of a wounded opponent on the road.
Houston Cougars Outlook
The provided information offers very little insight into the Houston Cougars’ current form or roster health. A Big 12 injury report was issued for their previous game against Texas Tech on October 2, but no specifics for this matchup are available in the search results. An early-season report from September 6th noted that starting left guard Jason Brooks Jr. was out for a game against Rice, but his current status is unknown. With a lack of concrete data, the Cougars enter this game as a relative unknown, but they face an opponent that is confirmed to be significantly shorthanded.
Arizona State Sun Devils Outlook
The Sun Devils’ impressive 5-2 record is about to be put to the test. The injury bug has hit the team hard, striking at the most critical positions on offense.
Most importantly, starting quarterback Sam Leavitt is confirmed OUT for this contest due to an undisclosed but “ongoing issue.” Jeff Sims is expected to get the start in his place. Compounding the issue for the backup quarterback, the offense will also be without its top receiver, Jordyn Tyson, who is out with a hamstring injury.
These are not the only concerns for ASU. The injury report for their previous game against Utah was extensive, listing multiple starters as impacted, including Elijhah Badger, Troy Omeire, and others. While a specific player availability report for the Houston game was released on October 22, the details are not included in the search results. However, the confirmed absence of a starting QB and top WR is a massive blow to ASU’s offensive potential.
Prediction
This prediction is heavily influenced by the confirmed injuries to Arizona State. A team laying 6.5 points at home is usually a comfortable bet, but not when they are starting a backup quarterback who will be without his best receiving target. The Sun Devils’ 5-2 record was built with a healthier roster, and their offense is likely to be significantly less potent.
With Jeff Sims at the helm and no Jordyn Tyson, ASU will likely struggle to move the ball and put up points. This brings the total of 46.5 into sharp focus. A struggling home offense and a Houston team of unknown offensive capability points toward a lower-scoring, defensive game.
The spread of -6.5 feels too large given ASU’s personnel losses. Houston should be able to keep this game close, if not pull off the upset, against a depleted Sun Devils squad.
The Picks:
- Against the Spread: Houston +6.5. The injuries to ASU’s starting QB and WR1 are too significant to ignore. Take the points with the road underdog.
- Total: Under 46.5. With a backup quarterback and missing offensive weapons for the home favorite, expect a grind-it-out game where points are at a premium.
Sources:
Texans Injury Report | Houston Texans – HoustonTexans.com
Arizona State football vs Houston injury report
Texas Tech vs. Houston Injury Report
Joseph Duarte on X: “Houston injury report: Starting left guard Jason …
Houston Rockets Injury Status – ESPN (PH)
Houston Rockets Injury Status – ESPN
Colorado vs Houston injury report: List of players expected to miss …
Children Walking and Biking: Mapping Houston’s Injury Hotspots …
Eddrick Houston injury update: What Ryan Day said after Ohio State …
Impairment Rating – Houston Injury Solutions Network