The Peach Bowl trophy on display before a joint news conference with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

How Likely is Arizona State to Make CFP in 2025

Originally posted on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI
By Kevin Hicks | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 8:00 AM ET

Kenny Dillingham has the Arizona State football program humming.

Fan interest is at a 30-year high going into the 2025 season and the program is looking to put forward it's best team since 1996 this season following an 11-3 season in 2024 that saw the team win the Big 12 championship.

The appearance in the College Football Playoff was an unexpected yet fruitful one - the team nearly defeated Texas in the Peach Bowl and gained national respect in the process.

The unexpected piece of the equation was a major one in last season's CFP - as the Sun Devils, Tennessee, Indiana, and Southern Methodist were four schools to make it that were considered long shots to reach those heights before the season began.

The question is - which of those four is the likeliest to reach those lofty goals once again?

Which of these playoff teams from last year do you think is most likely to make the playoffs again in 2025? pic.twitter.com/T0SMtYXG2R
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) June 17, 2025

Tennessee

The Volunteers have a baked-in advantage of being part of the SEC - who will tend to receive more bids now and in the future.

Some sizable roster turnover leaves uncertainty for the 2025 Tennessee team - but an unexpectedly easier schedule could open the door for the Volunteers.

SMU

SMU could be the team most in line for regression in the ACC - as they play two of the projected top teams in the Big 12 in Baylor and TCU in non-conference play.

They then proceed to play potentially strong ACC squads in Clemson, Miami FL, and Louisville - the Mustangs appear to be the most unlikely program to make it back to the big stage.

Indiana

Indiana could very well make it back to the CFP in 2025.

The non-conference schedule is very weak and coach Curt Cignetti did a quality job of reloading the roster.

A three-game stretch against Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon to begin Big 10 play coupled with a late season road game against Penn State will challenge the Hoosiers much more compared to 2024 - but they could still surprise the nation once again.

Ultimately, Arizona State is likely the play here.

The Sun Devils return 17 starting players from last season, the entirety of the coaching staff, and a potential Heisman contender in Sam Leavitt - while also being the perceived favorite to repeat as Big 12 champs.

Read more about ASU legend Cam Skattebo agreeing to his rookie-scale NFL contract here, and on Leavitt's potential Heisman candidacy here.

Please let us know your thoughts on Arizona State's chances to make it back to the CFP in 2025 when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.

This article first appeared on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: