Is Arizona State Football the Team to Beat in the Big 12 This Year? Well… Maybe.
Here we are again — new season, fresh debates, and a ton of hype swirling around Arizona State football. And honestly? They’ve earned it.
Coming off a legit Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance last season, the Sun Devils are no longer the dark horse underdog that quietly surprises folks. Nope. This year, they’re squarely in the spotlight — a spot that’s both thrilling and, let’s be real, kinda nerve-wracking.
Kenny Dillingham, in just his second year as head coach, flipped the script on a program that not long ago felt like it was just trying to tread water in the national conversation. Now? They’re 11-3, conference champs, and entering 2025 with a big ol’ target on their backs.
But are they really the team to beat in the Big 12 this year? Eh… depends on who you ask.
A Fast Rise — But Can They Sustain It?
First off, we’ve gotta give Dillingham credit where it’s due. What he’s done in Tempe in such a short time is wild. The offense finally clicked. The defense showed up. And more importantly, they won the big ones when it mattered most.
But with success comes expectations. And those are always a bit trickier to manage the second time around.
Yeah, they’re returning a solid core. And yes, they’ve got playmakers on both sides of the ball that can go toe-to-toe with pretty much anyone in the country. But let’s not pretend like the Big 12 isn’t an absolute grind this year because it is. Probably more than ever.
The Power Rankings Shuffle
Look around at all the post-spring Big 12 power rankings, and it’s clear: nobody really knows what to do with this Arizona State team.
Some analysts have the Sun Devils sitting pretty at No. 1, fully buying in on the momentum from last season. Others are holding back a bit, slotting them at No. 2 behind programs like Texas Tech or Kansas State, which, to be fair, have plenty of firepower too.
And honestly, that’s fair.
Texas Tech has been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) stacking talent, especially through the transfer portal. Some folks even called their portal class one of the best in the country. That’s not nothing.
Then there’s Kansas State, which just… keeps doing what they do. Solid, consistent, hard-nosed football. You might not always see them coming, but by the end of the season, they’re always lurking in the top tier.
So, can ASU run it back with all eyes on them this time? Or do they stumble a bit under the weight of expectations?
What Arizona State Has Going for It
Let’s not act like the Sun Devils aren’t loaded.
They’ve got a returning QB who’s poised for a breakout national season (and you know how rare that kind of stability is these days). Their offensive line is experienced, and their receiving corps is deep. The defense still has question marks, especially in the secondary, but it’s not a disaster. Not even close.
Plus, Dillingham isn’t shy about adapting. That’s probably one of his biggest strengths — he doesn’t just stick to what worked last year and hope it works again. He tweaks. He adjusts. He builds on what’s already there.
And the team clearly believes in what he’s doing. You can see it in how they play. There’s confidence there now. Maybe even a little swagger.
But There Are No Guarantees
Still, it’s the Big 12, which means no weekends off.
You’ve got BYU on the rise. Utah can never be counted out. West Virginia is scrappy. And don’t forget about Kansas, which has been quietly building something real under Lance Leipold.
So, is Arizona State the team to beat?
Maybe.
They’ve got the résumé. They’ve got the coach. They’ve got the returning talent. But staying on top is always harder than getting there. Teams have had an offseason to study them now. They’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore.
If Arizona State wants to prove last year wasn’t a one-hit wonder, they’ve got their work cut out for them. The expectations are sky-high, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
But still… if I’m betting on one team that could repeat, it’s hard not to like what the Sun Devils bring to the table.
Just don’t be shocked if the ride gets a little bumpy. That’s just Big 12 football.
