Arizona State Dreaming of CFP Bye After Dominant Big 12 Championship Win
The College Football Playoff picture just got a whole lot more interesting. Clemson’s upset victory over SMU in the ACC Championship has shaken up the rankings and thrown Arizona State into the mix for a coveted first-round bye.
Sun Devils’ Dominant Performance Earns CFP Spot and Bye Consideration
Arizona State clinched its spot in the College Football Playoff on Saturday with a convincing 45-19 win against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship. Their 11-2 record, which includes a win over four ranked teams, is making a strong case for them to leapfrog the Mustangs and secure the No. 4 seed.
"I think our play, we’re 11-1 with our starting quarterback having beat four ranked teams, having won the Big 12 Championship,” said ASU coach Kenny Dillingham. “So, I do think because we’ve made a standard that the quarterback is that valuable, I think there should be a real chance that we get a first-round bye."
Arizona State could potentially even see themselves hosting a first-round CFP game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale if awarded the No. 4 seed.
The Importance of Conference Championships
While Boise State currently holds the No. 4 spot after their decisive win in the Mountain West Championship, their conference affiliation is a point of contention for some. Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez stated, "Participation in the College Football Playoff isn’t about entitlement…It’s based on performance."
The SMU loss throws the later stages of the CFP race into disarray. Utah, the SEC champion, is a guaranteed first-round bye, as is the Big Ten champion, Michigan. But with SMU potentially out and Boise State’s continued dominance, the final selections remain highly contested.
The Wait is Over: CFP Bracket Reveal
The 12-team CFP bracket will be unveiled on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN. Will the Sun Devils earn their reward for a stellar season with a life-changing first-round bye? Tune in, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
