ASU football controls its destiny in the Big 12 title chase

On By Littum


TEMPE — The road to the Big 12 Championship Game is now clear for ASU football after a 28-23 win over BYU along with Colorado’s 37-21 loss to Kansas.

A win over the Arizona Wildcats in next week’s Territorial Cup is all it takes to get the Sun Devils to Arlington, Texas.

All of this comes in Kenny Dillingham’s second season on the job, which has featured outstanding campaigns from tailback Cam Skatteboredshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, his favorite targets.

Skattebo has had one of the best seasons of any Sun Devil, and he entered Saturday as the only player in the FBS with over 1,000 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards.

The quick turnaround from consecutive three-win seasons earned new extensions for Dillingham’s coordinators, Marcus Arroyo and Brian Ward, who deserve tremendous credit for the team’s play.

Arroyo’s connection with Leavitt can’t be overstated, dating back to a recruiting visit prior to the quarterback’s transfer from Michigan State that lasted several hours.

Arroyo was Justin Herbert’s offensive coordinator at Oregon, and he has drawn comparisons between the now-Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and Leavitt about how the two prepare.

Tyson has also praised Leavitt’s preparation and narration Sparky’s Den Podcast on Wednesday, the quarterback is more often than not overprepared. Constant communication between quarterback and receiver has led to strong chemistry this season.

Ward’s efforts cannot be overlooked as his defense has improved by nine points per game. game from Year 1 to Year 2, and their ability to steal possessions away from opponents has allowed the Sun Devils to play complementary football.

Dillingham has said his priorities were extending his assistants and NIL compensation for his players before worrying about his own contract, which will almost certainly be extended at some point given the season’s success.

ASU is also one win away from its first 10-win season since 2014, when Todd Graham led the Sun Devils to back-to-back 10-win seasons.

Here’s a look at the Big 12 standings for the Sun Devils after ASU’s Week 13 win.

ASU football standings in the Big 12

Team Conference Overall
No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils 6-2 9-2
no. 14. BYU Cougars 6-2 9-2
No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones 6-2 9-2
no. 16 Colorado Buffaloes 6-2 8-3
Baylor bears 5-3 7-4
Kansas State Wildcats 5-3 8-3
TCU Horned Frogs 5-3 7-4
Texas Tech Red Raiders 5-3 7-4
West Virginia Mountaineers 5-3 6-5
Kansas Jayhawks 4-4 5-6
Cincinnati Bearcats 3-5 5-6
Houston Cougars 3-5 4-7
UCF Knights 2-6 4-7
Arizona Wildcats 2-6 4-7
Utah Utes 1-7 4-7
Oklahoma State Cowboys 0-8 3-8

The Sun Devils travel to Tucson for the Territorial Cup against Arizona on Nov. 30 at 13:30 Watch the telecast on FOX. The game was one of many Big 12 matchups placed on a six-day slate, meaning the time and television will be announced later.