Dillingham’s pitch: Why ASU football deserves to be in College Football Playoff bracket

TEMPE — If this week’s AP Top 25 is any indication, ASU football could be on the outside looking into Tuesday night’s College Football Playoff bracket.

The Sun Devils were ranked No. 14 by The Associated Press, outside the top 12 but tops among their Big 12 counterparts, which may be good enough to get it done. The CFP rankings will be updated at 6 p.m. MST Tuesday.

“I think we’ll find out,” coach Kenny Dillingham said on Monday when asked if the Sun Devils deserve a spot. “You’re only as good as your next game. Simple as that. You have to continue to prove to people constantly that you’re deserving of something.

“Do I think that the body of work that we’ve put together is worthy of it? Yes. But do I think the body of work is worthy of it if we lose a game? No.”

For the final rankings that will set the expanded 12-team playoff, the five highest-ranked conference champions get automatic bids, and the top four receive first-round byes. That’s where ASU would most like to be, but a stellar season from Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty could be part of why Boise State lands just ahead.

In the most recent bracket reveal, the Broncos had the No. 4 spot in the bracket with BYU taking the final automatic bid in the No. 12 slot. After a head-to-head victory over BYU, one may expect a clean switch between the Cougars and Sun Devils.

Should ASU be ahead of Boise State in the College Football Playoff?

When it comes to quality losses, Boise State has maybe the best one in the country: 37-34 at No. 1 Oregon (led 20-14 at half), which is the lone unbeaten team left in the country.

ASU’s losses do not carry nearly the same weight: at Texas Tech (7-4) and at Cincinnati (5-6). However, the latter matchup did not include ASU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt.

The Broncos’ wins aren’t necessarily the kind that would inspire a selection committee. The resume includes winning at home against Washington State (8-3) in September before winning at UNLV (9-2) after its quarterback had entered the transfer portal.

Most recently, Boise State struggled to beat a 2-9 Wyoming team, 17-13, that ASU beat 48-7 in the season opener.

While the Big 12 doesn’t offer a bevy of signature win opportunities, it certainly has more than the Mountain West.

In back-to-back weeks, ASU has won at Kansas State (8-3) and at home against BYU (9-2). It also beat a ranked Utah team (4-7) earlier in the year. If it makes the Big 12 title game, ASU would have another chance at a signature win over one of Colorado, Iowa State or BYU.

But as Dillingham has said, playoff conversations can’t be had before ASU takes care of business this week against an underachieving Arizona team.

The Sun Devils and Wildcats will kick off at 1:30 p.m. MST on Saturday. Listen to the game on 98.7 FM, the Arizona Sports app or ArizonaSports.com. Watch on FOX.