Arizona State: From Worst to First in the Big 12 Conference

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The 2024 Big 12 Conference preseason media poll projected Utah (5-7, 2-7), Kansas State (8-4, 5-4) and Oklahoma State (3-9, 0-9) as the top three teams in the conference. At the bottom sat No. 15 Arizona State (10-2, 7-2), a team deemed unlikely to attain bowl eligibility. However, head coach Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils blew past low expectations, clinching a spot in the Big 12 title game against No. 16 Iowa State (10-2, 7-2) on Dec. 7.

Arizona State Season Review

The Sun Devils began the season with nonconference victories over Wyoming (3-9, 2-5 Mountain West Conference), Mississippi State (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference) and Texas State (7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt Conference). Their Big 12 play began with a loss on the road at Texas Tech 30-22. They rebounded with back-to-back wins over Kansas (5-7, 4-5 Big 12) and Utah before a loss on the road at Cincinnati (5-7, 3-6) without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt. After that defeat, coach Dillingham had his team firing on all cylinders, winning five straight games over Oklahoma State, UCF (4-8, 2-7), Kansas State (8-4, 5-4), No. 18 BYU (10-2, 8-2) and in-state rival Arizona (4-8, 2-7).

Outstanding Performances

During the offseason, Leavitt transferred in from Michigan State (5-7, 3-6 Big Ten Conference) to give the team ammunition it was missing last year. In 2023, QB Trenton Bourguet threw for 1,486 yards with 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions. Leavitt's numbers are considerably better. He has passed for 2,444 yards, 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, helping the Sun Devils improve from 3-9 to 10-2.

Furthermore, Cam Skattebo is a wrecking ball in the backfield, rushing for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns. That includes three-TD games against BYU and Arizona to end the season. Skattebo transferred in from Sacramento State in 2023 and has become a consistent offensive threat.

Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is Leavitt's primary target in the passing game. He has 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, finishing the season with 125 or more receiving yards in the last three games. Disappointingly, however, Tyson is done for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for an undisclosed injury.

Postseason Aspirations

The College Football Playoff rankings are not friendly toward the Big 12, with the two teams in the championship game ranked No. 15 and No. 16.

Arizona State has not won a conference championship since 2007. No matter what happens in this game in Arlington, Texas, the 2024 season is a success for the Sun Devils, and they have an opportunity to build toward an even bigger 2025.

Going from a predicted dead-last-place finish in the Big 12 to the championship game shows that preseason rankings are to be taken with a grain of salt. The youthful Dillingham is a fiery leader of a program with outstanding players on the field who fit in well with ASU's goals and style of play. As long as Dillingham is at Arizona State, this program will be tough for anyone to beat.