Unfortunately for the Big 12 (and also the TExas Tech Red Raiders), the conference is no longer unbeaten in bowl games as the Arizona State Sun Devils suffered a frustrating 3-point loss in the Sun Bowl to the Duke Blue Devils.
It’s obviously not ideal for the Big 12 because it’s a loss for a Big 12 team. But for Texas Tech, it’s not ideal to see the one team that beat you lose to an imperfect sort of Duke Blue Devils team. I mean, that’s just not great.
The game itself was a lot of fun to watch. Points galore. The Sun Devils just found themselves on the wrong side of 42-39.
College football fans react to the Duke Blue Devils giving the Big 12 with a bowl loss by beating the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Sun Bowl
Here’s what college football fans had to say after the Big 12’s first bowl loss of the season:
I’m sure Dillingham will win the press conference at least.
— Campus Gridiron (@CampusGridiron) December 31, 2025
Nightmare season I finally over. https://t.co/BOD42jOTh5
— Levi (@Levi_208) December 31, 2025
What an interesting season, to say the least. https://t.co/20qDkL1JyP
— Adam Beadle (@therealbeadle) December 31, 2025
Obviously folks are going to be upset, but there were some fans looking at the bright side of it all.
Minus 16 players playing Duke at nearly full strength . This game is encouraging. Young talent is promising.
— Shawn T (@ShawnT87204893) December 31, 2025
Tough loss, but future is DEFINITELY looking bright, as long as Dilly is still in charge, we’re good
— Truitt Robinson (@truittrobinsonn) January 1, 2026
Obvi wanted to win but not a bad showing for our third string and youngsters
— Mike Jones (@ClaytonManningg) December 31, 2025
I mean, there were a lot of folks who were upset or enjoyed seeing the Sun Devils lose, but some folks did find a few positives to take away from this game. And of course, the Blue Devil fans were nice about the whole deal.
Great game, Arizona State🍻 It may have been a little too fiesty and full injuries, penalties, ejections, etc., it was a lot of fun to watch.
— Irish Blue Devil (@Irish_BlueDevil) December 31, 2025
Other fanbases weren’t so kind.
Idk how you lost that game. 2 boneheaded mistakes at the worst time. Hold onto the ball with both dang hands it’s not that hard. What a sad loss, had the win right in your hands 🤦♂️
— West Virginia Mountaineers1999 (@Jacob86343809) December 31, 2025
The best QB - HC duo in the state after that shootout 😂 pic.twitter.com/m2xHpmdrMY
— Bronzeboo (@Bronzeboo15) January 1, 2026
This season obviously was a bit of a step back for the Sun Devils and this game is a pretty clear indicator of that, but Arizona State has been such a roller coaster to keep up with this season and there were some pretty great moments.
This one sucks for Arizona State (and also the Big 12), but I’m pretty sure that the Sun Devils won’t be down for long. Kenny Dillingham is a really impressive coach and he’s shown that he can very quickly improve this program. This team is one to keep tabs on next season.