It’s the only game that really counts. No matter how good or bad—in this case, pretty terrible—the season has been, beating ASU is always No. 1 on the list of goals for Arizona.

And now comes that time, with an added bonus: No. 14 ASU (9-2, 7-2 Big 12) comes to Tucson on Saturday needing a win (and some help) to make the conference title game after being picked to finish last in the league back in July. The Sun Devils have more than doubled their win total from a year ago, while Arizona (4-7, 2-6) can do no better than half its 2023 win tally.

To better understand the Sun Devils, we reached out to Hod Rabino, publisher of DevilsDigest, for some insight, as well as a score prediction. Below are his feisty answers to our apathetic questions:

AZ Desert Swarm: ASU was picked to finish last in the Big 12 but enters the Territorial Cup alive to make the conference title game. What were the biggest keys to this unexpected turnaround?

Hod Rabino: “I know that establishing a team culture might sound like a bad football cliche, but that’s exactly what has helped Kenny Dillingham turn this program around so quickly. Even people outside of ASU know how badly this program was run before Dillingham arrived, and just changing the whole mindset of the team was a necessity, not a luxury. I would also say that because this coaching staff does an outstanding job in talent evaluation, having them rebuild the team in a transfer portal era was an absolute godsend, especially when there were no limitations on how many players could be added in a given year. When you have a massive roster turnover, this is an element that helped the Sun Devils quite a bit. You can objectively say that in the last two years, there have been many more bullseyes than misses when it comes to the addition of newcomers. Ultimately, no matter how good of a coach you are, you’re only as good as the caliber of players at your disposal, and Arizona State has done very well in that regard.”

Sam Leavitt has only thrown five interceptions in 265 attempts, a year after four ASU quarterbacks (and a running back and a tight end) combined to throw 14 picks. What has enabled Leavitt to avoid mistakes?

“It goes without saying that ball security is an aspect that’s important to every team, but I also feel that some teams might emphasize this more than others, and ASU definitely falls into that category. Then you also have the angle that because he’s a young quarterback, the coaches are careful not to put too much on his plate, and really, with an outstanding ground attack, there really is no reason to overextend any quarterback playing on this year’s team.

“There’s also something to be said about Leavitt being mature beyond his years for a redshirt freshman. Even though he has a very fiery personality, he is still humble enough to be a true student of the game and do all the so-called work when nobody’s watching work in order to better himself. Lastly, the fact that not only Dillingham but also offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks has only helped Leavitt with his overall play. When we talk about hitting the bullseye ASU recorded in the transfer portal, he is probably the biggest example of that.”

Cam Skattebo has been a beast for the Sun Devils with 14 rushing TDs and two receiving scores. What are his best attributes, and is there anything he can’t do?

“Somebody put it best that Skattebo is the type of running back that would do well decades ago when players were leather helmets and no face masks. In other words, he is as old school as old school comes, runs violently with a punishing style, always looking for contact. And that’s a style of running that is becoming less common in college football. In 2023, when this ASU offense was struggling quite a bit, he still was the brightest spot on that unit. And for someone who came last year out of the FCS ranks I think that was greatly important for his confidence because he came in with even a better mindset into the season, reshapped his body and was driven even more to succeed knowing that the coaching staff was going to put even more responsibilities on the shoulders.

“He’s definitely a very well-rounded player who does a great job in blitz pickups and is an exceptional receiver out of the backfield. It’s hard to say what his weaknesses are, but if there are any shortcomings to his game, the coaching staff is savvy enough to mask those and not ask him to try and execute assignments where he may have difficulties in doing so. Even in very average seasons or worse, ASU has had a great track record of running backs for the last six years, with all of them on NFL rosters this season, and he still may be the best one of them all.”

Jordyn Tyson has had a breakout season at receiver, with 67 catches for 958 yards and nine TDs. What has made him the No. 1 option in the passing game, and who else could have a big day in Tucson?

“Tyson is a type of wide receiver who is just very versatile; he can line up in all the wide receiver roles and still excel no matter what assignment is given to him. He’s very sure-handed and may not have blazing speed, but he is still quick and agile enough to separate himself from defenders. He is very savvy, which allows him to make plays in tight quarters. The chemistry that he and Leavitt have is truly special, and those two have been dialed in for the last few weeks, producing big plays with regularity.

“Tight end Chamon Metayer and Xavier Guillory have been the other aerial targets for Arizona State, although not putting up the numbers that Tyson has registered. At running back, Kyson Brown has been number two in the pecking order. Much has been said that aside from Skattebo and Tyson, not many other skilled players on offense have been able to make their mark. I’ll be curious to see if that may take place this Saturday because it would make the offense that much more potent.”

Who are the defensive players that Arizona has to be most concerned with?

“Arizona State has put up modest numbers when it comes to pass rush, but its best player in that department is defensive end Clayton Smith. CJ Fite, on the interior of the defensive line, has been one of the primary run stoppers. At linebacker, Keyshaun Elliott has been the leader, especially against the run, while fellow linebacker Jordan Crook is a shiftier player who does a great job in coverage and disrupting the opponent’s passing game.

“At nickel back, Shamari Simmons, who was slated to start at safety but, because of injuries and departures, was moved over to this new role, has played exceptionally well and is a more physical presence in a position where you normally would see a smaller defensive back. Both cornerbacks Javan Robinson and Keith Abney II have really been coming into their own the last few weeks, and needless to say, they will have to play very well against a dangerous Arizona passing offense.”

Kenny Dillingham has managed to turn around ASU in just two seasons, a year quicker than Jedd Fisch did at Arizona, but that may also make him a hot commodity when the coaching carousel starts up. What are the chances Dillingham might look to leave for a bigger job, and how much would ASU be willing to pay to keep him?

“I know that in college football, you never say never, but I just can’t see Dillingham leaving his alma mater anytime soon. This is his dream job, he grew up here in the Valley, and he did not come to take this job and use it as a stepping stone. He worked hard and succeeded in getting both of his coordinators significant pay raises and longer contracts, and that’s not something that you bother to do if you know that you’re not going to be here next year. I don’t know if anybody can etch in stone whether he’s going to retire here, especially when he’s only 34 years old, but for more than the foreseeable future, I would totally expect him to stay in Tempe.”

Prediction time. Does Arizona play spoiler, while retaining the Cup for a third straight year, or does ASU continue its magical season and get its first rivalry win since 2021? Give us a score prediction.

“It goes without saying that this is a tough game to predict, and even though all Arizona has to play for is being the spoiler to ASU’s path to the Big 12 title game, that is more than enough motivation for the Wildcats. At the same time, it’s not only the fact that the Sun Devils want to keep this magical season going and play in Dallas a week from Saturday, but they obviously have revenge on their mind after being trounced in Tempe last year.

“This is a very different ASU team on many levels from the squad that Arizona beat the last two years, and this is also a Sun Devil team that has rose to the occasion when they had to as demonstrated in their wins over Kansas State and BYU. It will be anything but an easy affair for Arizona State and anybody who watched their games or even just looked at the box score knows that the vast majority of their wins have been dramatic and take you on a roller coaster ride. And on Saturday, it won’t be any different. I am picking Arizona State to win 31-26.”

Another week of the NFL season is in the books. Here’s how former Arizona Wildcats fared in Week 12.

Nick Folk, K, Tennessee Titans

At 40 years, Folk is proving he’s still one of the NFL’s elite kickers. On Sunday he made three including distances of 51 and 56 yards to lead the Titans to a 32-27 win over the Houston Texans. Folk is 6-for-6 on field goal attempts of 50+ yards this season.

Folk now has 399 career field goals. He’ll soon become just the 14th kicker in NFL history to hit the 400 mark.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, ST, San Francisco 49ers

Flannigan-Fowles was a rare bright spot for the 49ers in their 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. He recorded a superb 89.7 grade on special teams, according to Pro Football Focus.

Unfortunately he hurt his knee during the game and is listed as questionable.

Christian Roland-Wallace, ST, Kansas City Chiefs

Roland-Wallace played 16 snaps on special teams in the Chiefs’ 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. He recorded a 62.2 grade per PFF, third-best on the unit.

Roy Lopez, DT, Arizona Cardinals

Lopez had one tackle in Arizona’s 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Lopez recorded a pitiful 23.6 tackling grade, according to PFF.

PHOENIX – The Department of Justice says the two leaders of a large-scale, drug-trafficking ring are a father and son with roots in Phoenix. 

In addition to charges of narcotics, conspiracy and money laundering, prosecutors are charging the two men with the “Kingpin” statute, also known as the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute. 

In January 2024, a federal grand jury in Johnstown, Pennsylvania charged 35 people in a second superseding indictment, accusing the group of participating in a “violent transnational drug and money laundering operation” between August 2021 and June 2023. 

Twenty-six of the 35 defendants are from the Phoenix area. A wiretap investigation by the FBI led to the discovery of the alleged drug ring. 

Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza mugshot

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Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza, 55, was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2013 for using the mail to set up a methamphetamine delivery system in Texas. A decade later, prosecutors believe he and his son Marcos Monarrez Jr. – aka “Nene” – are the leaders of the Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization based in Phoenix. 

The father and son are accused of importing millions of fentanyl pills, kilograms of fentanyl powder, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and dozens of kilos of cocaine from Mexico and selling it throughout the U.S. 

Court documents say the Monarrez DTO worked with four major suppliers from Mexico and Phoenix. Those four men are also charged in this case, including Jaime Ledesma. 

Ledesma is serving time in an Arizona state prison for previous convictions of narcotics possession for sale and weapons misconduct. 

Investigators say Monarrez DTO paid numerous distributors and couriers to transport and deliver shipments of fentanyl, meth and cocaine to re-distributors in Phoenix, Seattle, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Wichita, Kansas, Fort Wayne, Indiana and Western Pennsylvania. 

Through court records, FOX 10 identified some of the defendants accused of working for Monarrez-Mendoza to distribute illicit drugs, including Cesar Monarrez – aka “Pollo,” Colby Barrow – aka “Bando,” Donald Garwood and Valeriz Sanchez, all based in the Phoenix area. 

Carlos Zamora – aka “Calancho” – is not only accused of re-distributing fentanyl and meth – but law enforcement calls him the “enforcer” of the operation and says he was paid by Monarrez Jr. to perpetrate violence, including a drive-by shooting. 

Where does our state stand amongst drug trafficking nationwide?

“We are ground zero for drug trafficking right here,” says Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz of the DEA’s Phoenix Field Division.

Since 2020, Oz and her team have been on the frontlines of the fentanyl crisis in Arizona, seizing historic amounts of drugs. 

“Synthetics are the wave of the future,” she says. “With methamphetamine and fentanyl, the cartels have learned chemistry and they’re making concoctions in the jungles and basements and kitchens. They’re packaging those up and selling them, bringing them into the United States and selling them here.”

She says the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion – known as “CJNG” – are the largest Mexican criminal syndicates that threaten the U.S., but it’s not migrants that primarily bring in illicit drugs on foot. 

Couriers or “mules” drive through legal ports of entry at the southern border to bring drugs into Arizona. 

Authorities also seize drugs at airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor, discovering products hidden in checked luggage and containers. By land and by air, Oz says it’s moving fast and agents are trying to keep up. 

“The cartels find very innovative and creative ways to conceal loads and bring them into this country. We’ve seen them inside teddy bears if they go through the mail. Everything that you can imagine, think drug trafficking, illicit drug trafficking is a $3 trillion business. So that’s a lot of money, a lot of reasons to try and bring poison into this country. So, they will be very creative. They will do anything they can to get their poison into the United States,” Oz said. 

The black market at the southern border is where drugs and firearms trafficking collide.

“In Mexico you can only buy a weapon through the army. There are only two stores in all of Mexico, and you have to have a permit in order to buy a weapon. So, it is extremely controlled arms regulation or weapons regulation,” says Rafael Barcelo Durazo. 

Barcelo is Tucson’s Mexican Consul. He says both sides of the border feel the negative effects. 

In the U.S. government’s case against the Monarrez DTO, one of its alleged suppliers – Humberto Arredondo-Soto, was paid in military-grade firearms, including AK-47 and short-stock Draco rifles, Glock handguns and FN SCAR assault rifles smuggled to Mexico by couriers from the U.S. 

“From 75 to 80% of the weapons seized in the commission of a crime in Mexico, those were weapons bought in the United States and were illegally trafficked into Mexico,” said Barcelo.

Court records reveal the magnitude of executed search warrants linked to the Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization. 

Phoenix take down seizure

In 2023, authorities searched nine Phoenix locations, seizing 27 kilograms of fentanyl pills, seven and a half kilograms of fentanyl powder, nearly 50 pounds of meth, 12 firearms and more than $200,000 in cash. 

Seattle take down seizure

At the same time in Seattle, five search warrants led to the seizure of 27 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 14 firearms and nearly $400,000. 

Pills hidden in supplement bottles seized in a flight from Phoenix to Minneapolis in 2022

This seizure happened in 2022 after investigators learned a passenger on a commercial flight from Phoenix to Minneapolis was in contact with members of the Monarrez DTO.

Just weeks later in another alleged smuggling attempt from Phoenix to Minneapolis, authorities seized two protein tubs of fentanyl pills, weighing 20 kilograms, also linked to the Monarrez organization. 

“The organized crime has taken so many lives in Mexico and I think from the public opinion point of view in the United States, it’s only the drugs that are the priority. But you cannot tackle the drug trafficking if you don’t tackle, also, the illegal trafficking of weapons from the United States,” says Barcelo. 

It doesn’t stop behind bars

The DOJ says while Monarrez Jr. was in prison in the Western District of Pennsylvania, he used contraband cell phones to communicate with other co-conspirators on the outside and orchestrate the distribution of 500,000 fentanyl pills throughout the nation.

Marcos Sr. was arrested by Chandler Police in November 2023 on drug and money laundering charges. 

Out of the 35 defendants, five have taken plea deals and four of them have been sentenced. 

Oz says Arizona is ground zero for drug trafficking here in Arizona, impacting so many families across the state. 

‘We watched her die’

“I miss her so much every day. I miss her laugh. She was very sarcastic. She was always laughing, always making jokes. And she was just super fun. She just lit up everybody’s life,” says Danya Ayers, the mother of Hannah Pairrett.

Ayers doesn’t miss a chance to tell her daughter’s story because she’s no longer here. 

In June 2019, she warned her 16-year-old daughter about the dangers of buying pills off the street. 

“She actually said ‘I would never be stupid enough,’ which were her words. ‘I’m not stupid enough to go out and buy something if I don’t. I’m not going to do that because I know better,’” said Danya. 

But Hannah ultimately bought what she believed were three Adderall pills. An hour later, Hannah overdosed and was rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. 

Danya remembers seeing her daughter in the ICU. 

“And if she does make it, it would be a miracle, and she would not be the same person because she would have been severely brain-damaged because of how long she was down for,” Danya said. 

The pill Hannah took was laced with fentanyl. Her death was one of 1,294 fatal opioid overdoses in Arizona in 2019. 

“We watched her die,” says Danya.

For Danya, the repercussions of one drug sale changed her family’s life. 

In November 2023, Michael Allen Fox was sentenced to six years in prison for the distribution of fentanyl that caused Hannah Pairrett’s death. 

Fox is not linked to the Monarrez DTO. 

“There’s a little bit of closure because he did get sentenced, and he is in prison now. But the sentencing was only six years. So, we don’t feel like that was the justice that she deserved,” says Danya. 

Meanwhile, the DEA says fentanyl seizures in Arizona have started to decline. 

“We have a ton of fentanyl that’s coming into the United States. However, I’m happy to say that our numbers are plateauing and even going down just slightly,” says Oz. 

Danya makes it her mission to educate parents about the fears of fentanyl and to watch out for the signs before it’s too late. 

“To watch your child die or to hear that your child is gone. Nobody, you don’t want that. Nobody wants that,” she says. “So that’s what I really want to try to get out there is you never forget. It never goes away. And it never stops hurting to lose your child like that.”

As for the Kingpin Statute, te sentence for a conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. 

Only a handful of Americans have been charged with that statute.