Against all odds, Arizona State wins the Big 12 and reaches the College Football Playoff

Welcome to the Big 12, Arizona State.

After going 3-9 in the Pac-12 in 2023 and being picked to finish last in the Big 12 in 2024, the Sun Devils defied the odds with an improbable run to the Big 12 Football Championship Game.

They completed the task on Saturday with a stunning 45-19 victory over No. 16 Iowa State at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is the first straight conference championship for Arizona State since 1996.

The win gives the No. 15 Sun Devils (11-2) an automatic spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The final CFP rankings will be released on Sunday and it is likely that Arizona State will be a No. 12 seed and will play a No. 5 seed in the first round.

After the game, Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham told ABC’s sideline reporter that the Sun Devils should be treated like an 11-1 team by the CFP committee.

“We’re 11-1,” Dillingham said. “We should be treated like we’re 11-1, Big 12 champs.”

Dillingham pointed to Arizona State’s record with Sam Leavitt as the starting quarterback. Leavitt missed ASU’s 24-14 road loss to Cincinnati with a rib injury.

Playing without star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on Saturday, Leavitt distributed the ball to six different receivers and wreaked havoc on Iowa State with big plays.

Leavitt finished the game 12 of 17 for 219 yards and 3 touchdowns before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter. He also ran seven times for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo once again declared he was a Heisman Trophy finalist by completing 16 carries for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. And he didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Arizona State led 24-10 at halftime and opened the game in the third quarter after Iowa State forced three straight turnovers.

The Sun Devils finished the game with 467 yards of offense, compared to just 341 yards for Iowa State — and many of the Cyclones’ yards came after the game was over.

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