### BYU Gears Up for Crucial Face-Off Against Arizona State After Heartbreaking Loss

The BYU Cougars are set to face No. 21 Arizona State this Saturday in Tempe, in what is poised to be the most pivotal game of the Kalani Sitake era. Coming off a deflating 17-13 loss to Kansas, the No. 14 BYU team, with a 9-1 record, looks to redeem themselves and solidify their top spot in the Big 12 standings.

Head coach Kalani Sitake emphasized that the narrow defeat provided invaluable teaching moments for his squad. “We have faced some adversity, we have faced a loss. Now we are able to learn from it,” Sitake expressed during his weekly press briefing. “Let’s see what type of team comes out. This is a good moment for our identity to show.”

The game against Arizona State, with an 8-2 record, holds immense significance as a loss could jeopardize BYU's aspirations of making the College Football Playoff and their spot in the Big 12 conference championship. Arizona State, fresh off a 24-14 triumph over Kansas State, poses a formidable challenge. "Field goals won't get it done against ASU," Sitake remarked, noting the potent offensive threats posed by running back Cam Skattebo and quarterback Sam Leavitt.

Despite the setback against Kansas, the Cougars still sit at the top of the Big 12 with a 6-1 conference record. Sitake remains optimistic about his team's state of mind, highlighting their resilience. “If it is going to be different, I gotta lead the way,” he said. “From what I see from the boys today, and what I saw from after the game, I feel like they are in a really good spot right now.”

The BYU team will need to refine their offensive execution to overcome Arizona State, a key focus for Sitake and his players. “We have been one of the top teams in the country scoring in the red zone. It is just the last two weeks it hasn't gone our way. So we just gotta refocus, find ways to improve, and make sure we get in the end zone this time,” Sitake emphasized.

With BYU fans expected to comprise a significant portion of the crowd in Tempe, Arizona State's coach Kenny Dillingham urged ASU supporters to retain their tickets and bolster home-field advantage. The high stakes and passionate fan bases set the stage for a thrilling encounter between two unexpectedly successful teams this season.

As BYU’s defensive lineman John Nelson aptly put it, the team's identity revolves around treating every game like a championship. “The identity is we are going to play hard no matter who we are playing, and you can pick us to lose (and we don't care),” Nelson stated. This match against Arizona State is just another critical step for BYU to prove their mettle and continue their impressive season.