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It'll be the first matchup in Tempe since the football teams entered the Big 12. 

Here's a look at six players to watch from both sides of the rivalry. 

Arizona

Noah Fifita, quarterback: In four road games this season, Fifita has completed 73% of his passes for 1,029 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions (both at Iowa State). 

The on-field chemistry between Fifita and wide receiver Kris Hutson has blossomed in the last month. Hutson's 256 yards the last two games has put him atop of Arizona's receiving yards leaders. The last time Fifita started for Arizona in Tempe, the previous No. 4 in Tetairoa McMillan had 266 receiving yards, and Fifita set the single-game school passing record with 527 yards. 

Arizona receiver Tre Spivey, who scored seven touchdowns in a nine-game stretch, hasn't scored since his 57-yard opening touchdown against Colorado. If the Sun Devils find a way to eliminate Hutson's playmaking abilities, Spivey, Chris Hunter, Javin Whatley, Luke Wysong and Chandler native Gio Richardson could see more production at receiver. 

If Arizona wins on Friday, Fifita will be the first Arizona quarterback since Nick Foles in 2009 and '11 to beat the Sun Devils in back-to-back games in Tempe. Foles started the 2011 game, but suffered an injury and was replaced by backup Bryson Beirne, who threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Juron Criner. 

Dalton Johnson, safety: Johnson's first-ever interception as a Wildcat was in the 2023 Territorial Cup in Tempe. Since then, Johnson added three more interceptions — and all of them are from this season.

Johnson was recently named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following his 18-tackle performance against Baylor. Johnson's 18 tackles are the most by a Wildcat since Scooby Wright III. Johnson's 94 tackles currently matches his season total from a year ago. 

Michael Salgado-Medina, kicker: The sophomore kicker, who's in his first year as the Wildcats' starting placekicker, is having an up-and-down season and has made five of his last nine field-goal attempts and missed an extra point in Arizona's 41-17 win over Baylor.

However, the last time Arizona was on the road in a rowdy environment, Salgado-Medina nailed a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats' 30-24 win over No. 25 Cincinnati. He also made a 49-yarder against Colorado in Boulder. 

ASU has the second-best red-zone defense percentage (77.5%) in the Big 12 and has allowed 22 touchdowns and nine field goals in the red zone this season. The Sun Devils also have the second-most fourth-down stops (6) inside the red zone in the Big 12. If Arizona's offense stalls in the red zone like it did against Cincinnati, Salgado-Medina could become a critical piece in Friday's game. 

Arizona State

Jeff Sims, quarterback: The journeyman is in his final season playing college football after starting at Georgia Tech and Nebraska before ASU. 

Sims has stepped in for the injured Sam Leavitt, who entered the season as the preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and is now out for the season with a foot injury. The Sun Devils have won the last three games with Sims under center. Sims broke ASU's quarterback rushing record with 229 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa State. 

Sims has only completed 57% of his passes since becoming the starter, but the Sun Devils have averaged just over 256 rushing yards per game and are third in the Big 12 in rushing. Additionally, the 6-4, 220-pound Sims is a big-bodied, dual-threat quarterback and is more akin to BYU's Bear Beachmeier, whose running ability gave Arizona fits in the second half. 

Sims is a turnover-prone quarterback, albeit he has eight total touchdowns and just two interceptions. Sims has fumbled four times already this season and has 24 fumbles in his career, along with 31 interceptions. 

Arizona's leaders in forced fumbles are safety Genesis Smith and linebacker Chase Kennedy. Arizona cornerback Jay'Vion Cole leads the Wildcats with four interceptions, with Johnson and nickel back Treydan Stukes just behind him with three interceptions this season. 

Raleek Brown, running back: The former Mater Dei star transferred to ASU from USC last season, but a nagging hamstring injury prevented him from having a major role last year as the backup to Cam Skattebo. Brown leads the Sun Devils this season in rushing and is coming off a 255-yard performance against Colorado. Brown is second in the Big 12 in rushing this season. 

Keyshaun Elliott, linebacker: The senior outside linebacker and edge rusher is tied for the third-most sacks (7) in the Big 12 this season. Elliott also has the sixth-most solo tackles (50) in the conference. Elliott could have a profound impact on rushing Fifita with redshirt freshman right tackle Matthew Lado making his second start of the season in place of the injured Tristan Bounds.