Arizona State football: Path to the Big 12 Championship

Arizona State football entered the Little Apple on Saturday night with an outside chance at still having a meaningful football game in December. That has since changed with a win over No. 16 ranked Kansas State, and some help in Provo, Utah as No. 9 BYU fell to the Kansas Jayhawks.

Let’s set the stage and remind ourselves where Kenny Dillingham and ASU football were 183 days ago. The Sun Devils were picked to finish dead last in the Big XII. Since July 2, ASU has won eight games to just two losses with wins over No. 16 Utah and No. 16 Kansas St.

You can contribute many things to ASU’s success over the last several weeks. Two major factors over the last four weeks have been WR Jordyn Tyson, as well as ASU’s defense.

Tyson has quickly become the top target for Sam Leavitt surpassing 35 receptions and 450 yards since the last bye week. To add onto that, Tyson also has five touchdowns to his credit, two of which came against the massive win against Kansas State.

The entire defense has also played a significant role in ASU’s success. They are averaging 1.6 turnovers per game through 10 games this season and rank No. 37 in opponent yards per rush at just 3.8 yards. The second stat is a massive one considering some highly touted running backs run wild in the Big 12. Additionally, the defense has limited opponents to just 122 yards per game on the ground which is No. 33 nationally.

Another key player in the Sun Devil’s success this season has come under center. Sam Leavitt has grown into the starting role after looking shaky early in the season. Amassing 750 yards and nine touchdowns in the last three weeks, the redshirt-freshman has found his rhythm.

All of that success has positioned Arizona State football into conference championship conversations. The top of the Big 12 standings is crowded, with four teams having two losses or less. Tiebreakers may end up being crucial in deciding which two teams play in the Big 12 Championship.

Path to Arlington for Arizona State football

What needs to happen for ASU to play in Arlington on Dec 7? There are multiple factors.

1. Head to Head record
2. Win % against common opponents
3. Win % against the next highest-ranked opponent
4. Win % against conference opponents (Takes SOS into account)

These are the four things that ASU fans should be looking at over the next two weeks. As it currently sits, ASU is tied in third place with Iowa State. The Cyclones have not been playing their best football down the stretch. This has played to ASU’s benefit over the last few weeks.

ASU has positioned itself nicely over the final two weeks of the season. With a win over BYU and a win over Arizona, ASU has a seat in Arlington. However, games around the league still matter. If BYU loses to ASU but also loses to Houston, Iowa State goes to Arlington.

Sun Devil fans should be rooting for the following. Arizona State football needs to win out, and either Iowa State loses at Utah or at home against Kansas State. With all of that being said, rooting for an Iowa St loss is irrelevant as long as BYU does its job at home against Houston.

The simplest path for the Sun Devils is ASU winning out and BYU beating Houston.

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