Arizona vs. Arizona State 'is the biggest game of the year, every year'

The Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona Wildcats square off in Tempe on Friday, and first-year head coach Todd Graham already understands how important this game is to the players and fans. Both teams are already bowl eligible, and will be battling for position in the final standings, but Graham understands that the Territorial Cup goes beyond that.

Graham was asked about the magnitude of this game at his Monday press conference, and he isn't taking it lightly, according to thesundevils.com:

"It is the biggest game of the year, every year. It is about Arizona State University winning the Territorial Cup. That’s it."

Arizona has won three out the last four meetings between the two in-state rivals. ASU last won two years ago, in a 30-29 double-overtime classic. The Wildcats dealt Arizona State the third loss of a five-game losing streak to end the year in 2011 with a 31-24 victory.

Both teams will be gunning for their fifth Pac-12 wins. The Wildcats visit the Sun Devils at 8 p.m. MT, with the game to be televised on ESPN.