Here's the brutal truth: Arizona State might be walking into their Utah showdown with one hand tied behind their back—and that's putting it mildly.
When Kenny Dillingham's Arizona State Sun Devils take the field this weekend to square off against the Utah Utes, they'll be doing so under circumstances that are far from ideal. The last time these two programs met was back in October of 2024, and that matchup ended with Dillingham's squad delivering an impressive 27-19 victory over the Utes—a performance that can only be described as nothing short of heroic. You'd think that kind of triumph would fuel the Sun Devils with all the confidence and momentum they need to hand Kyle Whittingham's team another defeat, right?
But here's where it gets controversial...
Well, motivation and team spirit can only take you so far when reality comes knocking at your door. And reality, in this case, comes in the form of an injury report that's absolutely staggering. There are certain factors that even the most skilled head coach simply cannot control, and injuries top that list. The official injury report released ahead of this crucial game is enough to make any Arizona State fan hold their breath in anxiety. Out of a combined total of 32 players listed across both teams, a whopping 24 of them belong to Dillingham's roster alone. Yes, you read that correctly—twenty-four players.
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No surprises on ASU's availability report for Utah based on Kenny Dillingham's transparency earlier in the week. The players listed as probable should all play, with the only real uncertainty being whether Kanyon Floyd will punt or simply be a holder on kicks. pic.twitter.com/P169jC8uHm (https://t.co/P169jC8uHm)
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) October 9, 2025 (https://twitter.com/ChrisKarpman/status/1976108543511232690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
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On October 8th, Chris Karpman, a reporter covering college football for 247Sports, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a detailed screenshot of the extensive injury report that's been making waves. According to Karpman's analysis, there appears to be at least a glimmer of hope for Dillingham and his coaching staff—a small ray of light breaking through what otherwise looks like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. But let's be honest here: the rest of the situation? It's looking pretty grim.
"No surprises on ASU's availability report for Utah based on Kenny Dillingham's transparency earlier in the week," Karpman wrote in his post. "The players listed as probable should all play, with the only real uncertainty being whether Kanyon Floyd will punt or simply be a holder on kicks." This statement suggests that while many players carry injury designations, most of those marked as "probable" are expected to suit up and contribute when game time arrives. That's the good news—if you can call it that.
And this is the part most people miss...
The real question hanging in the air is this: even if these players do take the field, will they be operating at full capacity? There's a massive difference between being cleared to play and being truly game-ready. When you're dealing with nearly two dozen players carrying some form of injury concern, you have to wonder about the cumulative effect on team performance, depth chart flexibility, and overall game strategy. Can Arizona State realistically execute their game plan at the highest level when such a significant portion of their roster is compromised?
The only genuine question mark, according to Karpman's report, revolves around Kanyon Floyd's specific role in special teams. Will he handle punting duties, or will his responsibilities be limited to serving as a holder during field goal and extra point attempts? While this might seem like a minor detail to casual observers, special teams can absolutely make or break close games—and if last year's 27-19 result is any indication, this matchup could very well come down to the wire.
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(This is a developing story…)
So here's my controversial take: Is Arizona State being too transparent with their injury reports, potentially giving Utah a strategic advantage? Or is Dillingham's honesty actually a mind game—making Utah prepare for players who might not even be at full strength? Some might argue that in the cutthroat world of college football, keeping your cards closer to your chest could be the smarter play. Others will praise the integrity and straightforwardness.
What do you think? Can the Sun Devils overcome this injury crisis and pull off another victory against Utah, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Is having 24 players on an injury report simply unacceptable preparation, or is it just bad luck that any program could face? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—do you think ASU still has what it takes, or is this game already decided before kickoff?
