Arizona State Football Earns No. 4 Seed in Playoffs

Arizona State University (ASU) football secured its first outright conference championship since 1996 and earned a No. 4 seed in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, resulting in a bye for the first round. The Sun Devils will face the winner of the matchup between No. 5 Texas and No. 12 Clemson in the Peach Bowl on January 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. MST in Atlanta. Head Coach Kenny Dillingham highlighted the team's transformation from previous seasons and emphasized their hunger for further success despite being perceived as underdogs. ASU's victory over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship solidified their playoff position, pushing their overall record to 11-2. The expanded playoff format has introduced debates over ranking and seeding, particularly in the case of SMU edging out Alabama for the final playoff slot. This marks a significant milestone for the program as they embark on their first playoff journey.