Big 12 Championship preview: Can Arizona State keep playoff hopes alive?

With the Arizona State Sun Devils set to face the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday, both teams look to make their case for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Sun Devils success in 2024 has been one of college football’s biggest surprises considering ASU had won three games in its previous two seasons. The Sun Devils were picked to finish last in the Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll while Iowa State was picked to finish 6th.

The game will mark the first time ASU has played in a conference championship game since 2013. ASU is hoping for a better result than its previous efforts which saw the Sun Devils lose to Stanford 38-14 in the Pac-12 Championship.

Saturday’s matchup also marks the first time the ASU and Iowa State football teams will face each other. After the Sun Devils ranked No. 12 in the AP poll on Sunday following their win against Arizona in the Territorial Cup, and Iowa State claimed the No. 16 spot after defeating Kansas State, both teams are looking to win their first Big 12 Conference championship.

What to expect from ASU’s offense, defense

Quarterback Sam Leavitt and ASU’s offense could be without wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who left Saturday’s Territorial Cup game with an arm injury and was seen with his arm wrapped in a sling after the game.

Even with the injury, ASU could once again rely heavily on the running game behind senior running back Cam Skattebo, who rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s win. Skattebo has rushed for over 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024.

With Tyson potentially out, Leavitt’s top targets in the air include tight end Chamon Metayer and receiver Xavier Guillory as well as Skattebo, who has caught 35 passes for 468 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Arizona State has the 27th-ranked rushing defense in the nation, allowing 115.5 yards per game. ASU’s passing defense is 69th in the country, allowing 219.8 yards per game. Defensive back Keith Abney II leads the team with seven passes defensed and is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).

What to expect from Iowa State’s offense, defense

The Cyclones’ offense is led by sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht, who has thrown for over 3,000 yards for 20 touchdowns while also rushing for over 270 yards and seven scores.

Becht has two solid receivers in seniors Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel with both players registering over 1,000 receiving yards in 2024. The rushing game is led by sophomore Carson Hansen who has rushed for 618 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Iowa State’s strength on defense has been their pass defense, with the Cyclones allowing just 156.9 yards a game, which is third in the nation. Sophomore defensive back Jontez Williams leads the team with four interceptions while junior Jeremiah Cooper leads the team with six defended passes.

Iowa State’s run defense has struggled this season, as the Cyclones rank 96th among FBS teams in run defense (176.4 yards allowed per game). With ASU’s rushing offense ranked 24th in the nation with 195 yards per game, expect ASU and Skattebo to run the ball heavily in Saturday’s matchup.

Who is favored in the Big 12 title game?

Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Sun Devils are 2.5-point favorites over the Cyclones.

How to watch, listen to Arizona State-Iowa State

Arizona State will face Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship game on Dec. 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas at 10 a.m. MST on ABC.

Listen to play-by-play coverage on 98.7 FM, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.