Can ASU football jump Boise State to get a bye in College Football Playoff?

Arizona State football made its case for getting a bye in the College Football Playoff following its 45-19 win against Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday.

ASU went 11-2 on the season with one of the losses against Cincinnati where the Sun Devils were without quarterback Sam Leavitt. Dillingham told ESPN reporter Katie George postgame that only the games Leavitt started should be factored. 

“I think we should be treated as an 11-1 team,” Dillingham said.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark also made his case for ASU to get a bye during the Big 12 championship trophy presentation on Saturday. A bye for ASU could see the Sun Devils play in the quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale.

“As far as I’m concerned, you’ve punched your ticket to [Glendale for the Fiesta Bowl],” Yormark said.

Many college football analysts took to X to make a case for ASU to get a bye.

Even if ASU doesn’t pass Boise they should definitely pass Alabama. They are better. https://t.co/ClFrTSjDXe

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 7, 2024

Not only could Arizona State jump Boise State and earn the No. 4 seed (and first-round bye), it’s also quite possible that the fifth conference champion is ranked higher than No. 12.

This is why it’s silly to be definitive about seeding (or easiest path, etc) before Sunday.

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 7, 2024

ASU making its case for a bye, and just remember:
– The committee makes it up as they go along
– Previous rankings mean nothing – they are a construct of ESPN wanting the programming

— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) December 7, 2024

ASU lost to Cincy without Leavitt. They should get a bye.

— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) December 7, 2024

How can ASU get a bye?

If No. 17 Clemson beats SMU in the ACC Championship game on Saturday, ASU could jump up up to one of the top four conference champion spots that get a bye. Boise State made a case with a win over UNLV in the Mountain West Conference championship game on Friday.

If ASU does not get a bye, it would likely mean going on the road to play the loser of the SEC or Big Ten title game on their campus in the first round. Notre Dame could also host the first-round matchup.

ASU could also host a first round playoff game in Tempe if they are seeded 5-8.

The first round will be played on Dec. 21, with one game starting the previous Friday night at 6 p.m. MST. The Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 is the first quarterfinal before the rest are played on Jan. 1.

When is the College Football Playoff selection show?

The College Football Playoff selection show will begin on Sunday at 10 a.m. MST on ESPN.

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