Iowa State vs Arizona State, Big 12 Championship Game Preview
How did THIS happen?
This was supposed to be Utah, or Arizona, or Oklahoma State, or Kansas State, or even Colorado, but nope. There’s a different former Pac-12 team in the mix along with a program that’s long overdue for something special.
Iowa State is still basking the glow of back-to-back conference championships … in 1911 and 1912.
It was rocky for a few weeks with back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas, but three straight wins including a home victory over Kansas State last week got the team here for it’s second shot at a Big 12 title - it lost to Oklahoma in 2020.
Arizona State hasn’t won an outright conference championship since Bruce Snyder and Jake Plummer put together a magical run to take the Pac-10 in 1996.
There was a co-championship in 2007, but win here, and head coach Kenny Dillingham will have taken the Sun Devils to 3-9 to the College Football Playoff in two seasons.
Basically, the winner is in the CFP, the loser is out. If Clemson beats SMU in the ACC Championship and UNLV beats Boise State in the Mountain West, the winner here is the 3 seed.
If SMU or Boise State win, the Big 12 champ is the 4, and if SMU and Boise both win, the Big 12 champ is probably the 12.
ASU Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates his touchdown run with teammate Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 7, 2024.
© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona State vs Iowa State: How to Watch
Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm
How To Watch: ABC
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Teams: Iowa State (10-2), Arizona State (10-2)
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- Championship Week Schedule, Predictions
Why Arizona State Will Win
You know exactly what you’re getting. Power running, a ton of energy, and right now, lots of confidence.
The passing attack has been a wee bit crisper over the second half of the season, but it’s still Cam Skattebo and the ground game that sets the tone. It doesn’t always rip off huge yards, but even with ASU is hammering for three yards per pop it sets a tone. It all ties together. The Sun Devils own the clock, don’t turn the ball over, and don’t take a ton of chances. The offense can open it up a bit - QB Sam Levitt threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Arizona - but again, it’s about that ground game.
Iowa State has one of the worst defenses in the Big 12 in run defense. However …
Why Iowa State Will Win
Iowa State leads the Big 12 in time of possession.
This is hardly a ground-and-pound team, but it has its style on offense that keeps most games from getting into shootouts, and the defense is great at taking the ball away.
There might not be a ton of tackles for loss, and the pass rush isn’t anything great, but Arizona State has the worst pass rush in the Big 12 - that should matter just a wee bit late.
Overall the ASU defense is a bit hit-or-miss, but it was picked apart by the BYU passing game and has problems when teams are hitting the midrange throws.
Cincinnati was able to beat the Sun Devils by dinking-and-dunking all day. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht is coming off a rough day in the win over Kansas State, but as long as he’s making his throw down throws …
Iowa State vs Arizona State, Big 12 Championship: Who Will Win?
Iowa State doesn’t exactly make a lot of sense.
It was great on third downs in the losses to Texas Tech and Kansas, and those were the team’s two best passing games of the season. This bunch is much better when it goes at whatever pace it likes. It’s an inconsistent team in a lot of ways, but it’s also versatile.
That’s all good, but Arizona State will be one speed in this.
It should be a thriller with both sides trading scoring drives throughout. But when it’s time to take the air out of the ball in the fourth quarter, ASU will be a wee bit better.
Iowa State vs Arizona State, Big 12 Championship Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Arizona State 27, Iowa State 24
Line: Arizona State -1, o/u: 50.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Must See Rating: 5
