Arizona State Stuns Big 12, Dominates Iowa State to Secure College Football Playoff Spot
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arizona State Sun Devils have officially flipped the script on their season, their conference, and their future. In a jaw-dropping performance, No. 15 Arizona State obliterated No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 to claim their first Big 12 championship—and in their inaugural year in the conference, no less. This victory not only cements their place in history but also makes a compelling case for a top-four seed in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Let’s rewind for a second. Just last week, the Sun Devils were projected as a No. 12 seed in the CFP rankings. Meanwhile, Boise State, fresh off a Mountain West title win on Friday night, was sitting pretty at No. 4. Under CFP rules, the top four seeds must be conference champions, and as the top Group of 5 qualifier, Boise State would retain that No. 4 spot if they ranked higher than the Big 12 champion in the final rankings. But after Saturday’s fireworks in Arlington, Arizona State has made it clear they deserve a seat at the table.
From Worst to First: ASU’s Meteoric Rise
Let’s not forget where this team started. Arizona State was picked to finish dead last—16th out of 16 teams—in the Big 12 preseason media poll. This was after a dismal 3-9 record in head coach Kenny Dillingham’s first season. Fast forward to now, and the Sun Devils have pulled off one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent college football history. They’re the first power conference team to win their league in their debut season since Virginia Tech conquered the ACC in 2004. Talk about rewriting the narrative!
On the other side of the field, Iowa State was chasing its first conference title since 1912. Yes, you read that right—over a century of waiting. But the Cyclones were no match for Arizona State’s relentless attack, led by the unstoppable Cam Skattebo.
Cam Skattebo: The Cyclone Slayer
Skattebo wasted no time making his presence felt. On the very first play of the game, he ripped off a 28-yard run, setting the tone for what would be a career-defining performance. By halftime, he had already racked up 140 yards on just 10 carries, including two jaw-dropping touchdown runs of 47 and 53 yards. Oh, and he wasn’t done. In the third quarter, he added a 33-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Sam Leavitt, capping off a day that will be talked about for years.
Here’s the final stat line for Skattebo: 170 rushing yards on 16 carries, nine forced broken tackles, and three total touchdowns. And yes, he punctuated his scoring runs with the iconic Heisman Trophy pose. If there were any doubts about his star power, they’ve been erased.
Leavitt, meanwhile, was no slouch either. The quarterback went 12-of-17 for 219 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to wide receiver Xavier Guillory. Together, they dismantled an Iowa State defense that simply had no answers.
Big 12 Commissioner Sounds Off
Even before the game kicked off, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was making headlines. Earlier in the week, he criticized the CFP selection committee, accusing them of favoring “logos versus résumés.” He pointed out that 74% of the Big 12’s wins this season came against other power conferences, while Group of 5 teams went just 11-80 against those same leagues. Ouch.
On Saturday, Yormark doubled down, saying, “I don’t want to get into too much about how we’re positioned versus other conferences. But I will say, where I sit, there should be no comparison between us and any G5 conference champion. I’ll double down on that for sure. Hopefully, the selection committee will do what they need to do.”
What’s Next for Arizona State?
With an 11-2 record and a Big 12 title in hand, the Sun Devils have done everything they can to make their case for the CFP. But will it be enough to leapfrog Boise State for that coveted No. 4 spot? The final rankings will tell the tale, but one thing is certain: Arizona State has proven they belong in the national conversation.
Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways from Saturday’s game:
- Arizona State’s Historic Win: First Big 12 title in their debut season, and a shot at the CFP.
- Cam Skattebo’s Dominance: 170 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and a Heisman-worthy performance.
- Big 12’s Case for Respect: Commissioner Brett Yormark isn’t holding back in defending his conference.
As the college football world waits for the final CFP rankings, one thing is clear: Arizona State has arrived, and they’re not going anywhere. Whether they make the playoff or not, this season will go down as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory. And if they do make it? Watch out, because the Sun Devils are on fire.
Originally Written by: Unknown
