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Staff Picks: Cardinals Heavy Favorites vs Seahawks

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Staff Picks: Cardinals Heavy Favorites vs Seahawks


ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals play host to the Seattle Seahawks in what is all but set to be a game that determines NFC West pole position the rest of the way.

The Seahawks are still fresh off their 16-6 victory over Arizona just two weeks ago, though the Cardinals are hoping home field advantage can pay dividends.

Staff picks this week:

Donnie Druin – Their backs are against the wall – how will the Arizona Cardinals respond after dropping two in a row? Their last meeting saw Arizona stumble out of the bye week in a tough road environment. After an improved showing in Minnesota, I believe the Cardinals now have their feet under them. This iteration of Jonathan Gannon’s squad won’t lose three games in a row. AZ 26, SEA 21

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Kyler Burd – This is the most important game of Kyler Murray’s career. The team is largely healthy, they have dropped two in a row coming out of the bye, and the NFC West is on the line. The Cardinals did look better in Minnesota then the terrible outing in Seattle two weeks ago, but self-inflicted mistakes plagued them and led to a tough one-point loss. Now, Jonathan Gannon has a chance to prove that his rhetoric is not just fluff and show that he has built a tough team capable of living up to expectations. The Seahawks were a tough matchup last time around, but if the offensive line can learn its lessons and not allow Seattle to dominate the line of scrimmage they will have a much better shot at pulling out a win.The Cardinals will lose a lot of fan support in what looked like a promising season that was ahead of schedule if they continue losing. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. AZ 27, SEA 24

Kevin Hicks – The magnitude of this game cannot be overstated. Arizona found themselves in a wonderful position going into the bye week at 6-4 – but a flat performance in the previous game against Seattle and a game that saw defeat dragged out of the jaws of victory against the Minnesota Vikings last week. Now, the Cardinals are faced with one of two ways to make the postseason – either win Sunday and go from there or win the four remaining games after this week. Kyler Murray is also bound to rebound at some point, and this game in particular could be one where Marvin Harrison Jr. makes a substantial impact. Seattle has a bit of momentum heading into this week – but historical precedent, roster makeup, and possibly coaching all point towards Arizona splitting the season series. AZ 31, SEA 26

Richie Bradshaw – It’s do-or-die time for the Cardinals when it comes to their hopes to win the NFC West. The Cards already lost once to the Seahawks and a season-sweep could doom their hopes for a division crown and a spot in the playoffs. Back at home for round two, I think this will be a more exciting game than the last and I anticipate Jonathan Gannon to be more aggressive. Seattle’s stout defense will keep this low-scoring, but Arizona’s defense has been one of the league’s best over the last several weeks. Give me the Cardinals with their backs against the wall. AZ 20, SEA 17

Alex D’Agostino – This is thebiggest game of the season for the Cardinals and Kyler Murray, and their performances in the previous two games do not inspire confidence. This is do or die, and I don’t feel as if Arizona is prepared for the moment. State Farm Stadium provides no home field advantage when this fanbase comes to town. Ordinarily, I’d predict a split of the season series, as these two rival teams tend to do, but Arizona has somehow never beaten Geno Smith as a Seahawk, despite Smith’s best attempts to aid them in that endeavor. This is still a terrible, terrible matchup for the Cardinals. Unless Drew Petzing can find some higher gear of magic, Arizona will be completely dominated in the trenches, as they wear black to their own funeral. AZ 26 SEA 34



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San Jose State transfer OL Nate Hale committed to Arizona and broke down his decision

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San Jose State transfer OL Nate Hale committed to Arizona and broke down his decision


After taking official visits to UCLA and Arizona over the last week, San Jose State offensive line transfer Nate Hale is headed to Tuscon to play for the Wildcats.

Hale said his familiarity with the Wildcat staff, who initially recruited him to San Jose State played a big role.

“UCLA was great and they’re definitely building something there but I committed to Arizona on my trip,” Hale said. “A lot of the staff there is the same staff that was at San Jose State my freshman year and it was great to see so many familiar faces.

“I love coach B (Brent Brennan), he was one of the first coaches to offer me out of high school. I love his energy, authenticity and his belief in me and I can’t wait to play for him and go block for Noah (Fifita).”

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UA OL coach Josh Oglesby played a big tole in his decision as well.

“It’s always impossible to say no to coach O,” Hale said. “I’m so excited to play for him again and I ahve a great connection with their OC Seth Doege as well.

“It was a tough decision but me and my family talked and prayed about it and we felt that Arizona was the best all around fit for me.”

Hale is a player we saw a lot of out of high school where he prepped for state power Orange Lutheran (Calif.). He signed with the Spartans as part of the class of 2023 and started 10 games as a right tackle this past season.

“I’m going to stay at tackle at Arizona as well,” Hale said. “They said they want me to come in to compete and contribute immediately.

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“That was my first time in Tucson and I loved the campus and awesome facilities. I know I can develop on and off the field so I’m really excited about my decision.”

Hale will have two years of eligibility left and has the game experience and all around skill set to be a potential plug and play tackle and compete for a starting spot right away.



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Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot

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Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot


Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

18-year-old Albane Cachot from Toulouse, France, has joined the Arizona State University women’s swimming and diving team mid-season. The Dauphins Toulouse OEC (the same club that produced Léon Marchand) product wasted no time adapting to short-course yards, winning the 50/100/200 free events in her first meet at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

Cachot made a name for herself in 2024, when she won the 50 free (25.45), 100 free (54.65), 200 free (1:59.18), and 50 fly (26.57) at the French Junior Championships in April. Two months later, she finaled in all four events at the French Elite Championships, placing 10th in the 50 free (25.43), 5th in the 100 free (54.61), 4th in the 200 free (2:00.34), and 7th in the 50 fly (26.95).

In 2025, she represented France at both the European Junior Championships in Šamorín, Slovakia, and the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. At Euro Juniors, she won gold in the women’s 100 free, clocking a lifetime-best 54.17. She also finished 7th in the 50 free (25.48) and 7th in the 200 free (2:00.46), and 5th in the 50 fly (26.51, a PB). Cachot swam on 3 of France’s relays at World Championships (women’s 4×100 free, mixed 4×100 free, and mixed 4×100 medley). She earned a bronze medal for her prelims role in France’s mixed 400 medley relay, and she joined Beryl Gastaldello, Marina Jehl, and Marie Wattel in the women’s 400 free relay final that placed 5th with a national record-breaking time of 3:34.62.

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In her short-course yards debut on January 3 at the dual meet with Grand Canyon, Cachot put up a team-leading time in the 50 free (22.43). She ranks 3rd in the 200 free (1:46.38) behind Jordan Greber (1:45.14) and Grace Lindberg (1:45.43) and 4th in the 100 free (49.11) behind Greber (48.81), Shane Golland (48.98), and Gerda Szilagyi (49.05). Greber, Lindberg, and Golland achieved their times during the CSCAA Dual Challenges.

The CSCAA challenge meets was also where ASU notched their fastest relay times of the season so far. Without speculating as to what her flying start times might be, it is clear that even her flat start SCY times would have lowered the Sun Devils’ free relay times by a couple of tenths in the 4×50 and 4×100 and by 3 seconds in the 4×200. And her converted LCM times would have been of even greater value.

Best SCY times:

  • 50 free – 22.43
  • 100 free – 49.11
  • 200 free – 1:46.38

Best LCM times (converted):

  • 50 free – 25.31 (22.08)
  • 100 free – 54.17 (47.36)
  • 200 free – 1:59.18 (1:44.48)
  • 50 fly – 26.51 (23.25)

Cachot is joining Arizona State’s class of 2029 with Alexia Sotomayor, Bella Scopel Tramontana, Cali Watts, Eleaunah Phillips, Jessie Carlson, Marley Lovick, and Ursula Ott. Avery Spade was also new this season, transferring in from Indiana.

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Predicting Where Former Arizona State Star Lands

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Predicting Where Former Arizona State Star Lands


TEMPE — The Sam Leavitt saga has been one that has split the Arizona State fanbase.

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While some have been steadfast in bringing up the contributions that the two-year star poured into the program, others have been emphatic in pointing out the optics of the exit appearing less-than-ideal in a point of critique.

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Regardless, the Sun Devils have moved on – with Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley and Michigan transfer Mikey Keense being the two exterior options that were brought in to signify a new era.

Now, Leavitt continues to seek a new college home for what might be his last season of collegiate football – Arizona State on SI makes sense of it all below.

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Confirmed Visits – LSU, Tennessee, Miami

Leavitt’s first visit came with Boley’s former school in Kentucky, but the Wildcats have seemingly moved on by signing Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.

LSU has made sense as a destination in recent weeks, with the presence of Lane Kiffin and the ironic twist of Jayden Daniels going from Arizona State to winning a Heisman Trophy with the Tigers as points of focus. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Leavitt heavily consider the SEC power.

Tennessee reportedly attempted to pry Leavitt away from the Sun Devils last spring and failed. This time, they loom as a relative “sleeper” – the redshirt sophomore even spent two days in Knoxville. This is a situation that is “wait-and-see”, as the Volunteers are still waiting to see what comes of QB Joey Aguilar’s pitch to receive more eligibility.

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Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates win with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the TCU Horned Frogs at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

Miami is another spot that has made sense, as senior Carson Beck will be playing his final game of his collegiate career on January 19. No state income tax, the allure of joining Cam Ward and Beck as potential major risers on NFL draft boards, and playing for a storied program are all major drawing points.

Expected Visit – Oregon

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Oregon is the complicated potential landing spot.

There is still a bit of uncertainty surrounding what Oregon’s Dante Moore decided to do pertaining to entering the 2026 draft, so the Ducks must stand pat until a firm decision is made.

It’s simple to see why an Oregon native would be drawn to play for what has become a storied franchise that now has a phenomenal track record of developing quarterbacks.

Verdict: Leavitt Lands With Oregon

There’s absolutely nothing firm about this prediction, but Oregon makes the most sense – with the caveat that Moore decides to go pro.

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Read more on why the Arizona State men’s basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.

Please follow us on X when you click right here, as well as @khicks_21 for nonstop Arizona State coverage!



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