From Last-Place Prediction to Playoffs, Arizona State Still Standing Tall

Odds and ends: Arizona State -1.5 (FanDuel)
In a preseason poll at media day, Arizona State was projected to finish dead last in the reconstructed Big 12. 

What’s at stake:

Where Arizona State is in the standings on Tuesday will determine if the Sun Devils are facing a must-win situation as the Big 12 very well could be a one-bid league. Arizona State has been a scorching-hot team down the stretch and probably doesn’t want to leave its fate to the committee in hopes of getting an at-large bid.

Iowa State has recorded the first 10-win season in school history and didn’t secure its spot until BYU defeated Houston late Saturday night in Provo, Utah. The Cyclones badly want to win this game to ensure they are part of the field as they clearly will get passed over if they are a three-loss squad.

RELATED: What’s At Stake In the Big Ten Title Game? Everything for Oregon, Penn State

How they got here:

Getting healthy was critical for ASU. The Sun Devils lost to Texas Tech in Week 4 and their only other setback (to Cincinnati) came when quarterback Sam Leavitt (rib) was sidelined. Arizona State roared to the finish with five straight wins, including a 49-7 road trampling over Arizona on Saturday.

Iowa State beat rival Iowa on Sept. 7 and shut out Houston three weeks later as part of a 7-0 start. But consecutive losses to Texas Tech and Kansas knocked the Cyclones out of the CFP Top 25, making a berth feel like a long shot. Yet Iowa State recovered with three straight victories, including a must-win affair with Kansas State on Saturday before receiving the help it needed from BYU to gain the conference title game berth over Colorado.

X factors

Arizona State

RB Cam Skattebo

A rodeo cowboy in uniform who plays without fear and seeks contact, bring help if you want to take down Skattebo. Tough guy is the face of Arizona State’s rise with 1,398 yards and 17 TDs on the ground along with 35 catches for 468 yards and two scores.

Iowa State

CB Jontez Williams

His four interceptions lead a unit that allowed 21 or fewer points on eight occasions in the regular season.

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