ASU's London Challenge: Three Factors to Watch Against Kansas
Coach Kenny Dillingham highlighted Kansas' explosive offense and effective play-action passing as key concerns for Arizona State. The Sun Devils must also manage the Jayhawks' ability to create conflict with their running game. The teams meet at Wembley Stadium in ASU's first Big 12 matchup of 2026.
The matchup marks a significant logistical undertaking, as Arizona State travels roughly 5,260 miles from their previous meeting site in Tempe. That 2024 contest occurred 710 days prior, and the Sun Devils now open their Big 12 conference schedule on international soil at Wembley Stadium, a venue better known for soccer and major concerts than American football.
Kansas enters with notable turnover concerns, having fumbled four times against Missouri while losing two, plus two interceptions from quarterback Isaiah Marshall. The redshirt sophomore is just three starts into his career, replacing the departed Jalon Daniels, who amassed over 9,000 passing yards and 1,400 rushing yards across six seasons. Marshall has shown promise with four touchdown passes and 72 rushing yards through two games.
This international fixture could signal broader shifts in college athletics, as programs increasingly embrace overseas venues to expand brand reach and recruiting pipelines. For players and fans, the London trip offers cultural exposure that transcends typical road games, potentially strengthening alumni engagement across the Atlantic. The game also highlights how conference realignment creates new geographic pairings, with Arizona State and Kansas now sharing Big 12 membership despite their historical distance. Such events may normalize international play in college football, though logistical and competitive fairness questions could emerge as more schools pursue similar showcases.