Get ready, because college football is hitting London’s Wembley Stadium this Saturday in a way it never has before. Arizona State is squaring off against Kansas, making history as the first game between two FBS teams ever staged in the United Kingdom. Seriously, this isn’t just a big game, it’s a monumental moment for college football’s global reach, and these teams are right in the thick of it.
Wembley Stadium, But Make It College Football
When you think Wembley Stadium, you usually think Freddie Mercury rocking the crowd or Beyoncé belting out hits for 70,000-plus fans. But this Saturday, it’s all about the Sun Devil Marching Band and Arizona State taking the grandest stage London has to offer. Coach Kenny Dillingham knows it’s special. He’s expecting “an unbelievable stadium and an unbelievably fun crowd that’s excited to watch college football.” Wembley holds 90,000, and while it might not replicate that insane, typical college atmosphere ASU just saw playing in front of over 102,000 fans at Kyle Field last week in a 48-20 loss to then-No. 10 Texas A&M, it’s still an iconic spot. Forget the NFL jerseys you might see, you know those maroon and gold Sun Devil fans are gonna try to turn it partisan.
A Week 3 Travel Nightmare for ASU
Let’s be real, this trip is wild for the players, but it’s a logistical nightmare for the coaches. This isn’t a cushy Week 0 opener. It’s Week 3. Arizona State played in College Station last week, then flew straight to London with absolutely no time back home. Dillingham laid it out straight, saying, “There’s no advantage from a football perspective. Week 3 of a season to fly across the country to play a football game. There’s zero positive from a football perspective.” He added, “Does it hurt? Yeah, that’s not a positive for my personal career. No way would I want our team to fly across the country, Week 3, to play this game. But this is an experience.” Kansas actually got an extra day of rest, having lost to then-No. 23 Missouri 38-21 on Sept. 11. Even Kansas coach Lance Leipold admitted planning has been tough, calling it “a huge undertaking,” especially with college rosters being way bigger than NFL ones. He’s not claiming any competitive advantage, though.
So, here we are. ASU and Kansas are about to make history in London, facing off in what’s bound to be a memorable, if exhausting, experience for the players. It’s all about soaking in that moment in an iconic stadium and showing the UK what college football is all about. This game is more than just a win or loss; it’s a global statement.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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