ASU Has Opportunity To Take Advantage of Impending CFP Reform

Now, Arizona State's fortunes have an opportunity to further entrench themselves in the national conversation on a regular basis, as the CFP is likely to be expanded to a 24-team field for the 2027 season. Explore how this possible wrinkle benefits Arizona State below.

Expanded Playoff Benefits Arizona State

The structure of the 24-team field is uncertain, as the SEC is pushing for a format that benefits its conference disproportionately, though 24 teams would likely result in at least three Big 12 programs being invited on a year-by-year basis.

This should greatly benefit Arizona State in the future, as Dillingham has positioned the Tempe-based program as a top-three entity in the league - alongside Texas Tech and Brigham Young.

Arizona State's success as a recruiting operation over the last two years should only continue to entrench them as a top-25-caliber team on a consistent basis, at the very least.

Sun Devils Still Have Opportunity To Make 12-Team Playoff in 2026

The 24-team field is at least one season away from taking effect, which means the 12-team arrangement that began in the 2024 season will continue through this season. Arizona State shouldn't be counted out as a threat to make the 12-team structure this season, as this is quite possibly the best opportunity for the Big 12 to send multiple teams.

Arizona State, Texas Tech, and BYU all have ceilings of a playoff squad in 2026, with the Sun Devils reaching their ceiling being heavily dependent on how the quarterback situation plays out - particularly if presumed starter Cutter Boley elevates the offense.

Beyond Boley, the Arizona State roster as a whole possesses as much top-end talent as it has since 2021. Omarion Miller , Reed Harris, Owen Long, and Jarmaine Mitchell represent a crop of heralded prospects that have the ability to take the Sun Devils places that they haven't been in many decades.