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Arizona State football is back on the map.
Tempe, Arizona has once again become an epicenter of college football after the Sun Devils shocked the world to not only win the Big 12 conference after being voted to finish last in their debut season - but also to push Texas to the brink in a College Football Playoff battle.
The Sun Devils are likely to go into 2025 as the favorite to repeat as Big 12 champions yet again - but could the program make another CFP bid without winning another title?
The two main ways Arizona State could reach the tournament without a championship:
Improved Big 12
Texas Tech, Baylor, Iowa State, Brigham Young - perhaps even Utah or Texas Christian - are projected to be top-25 level teams in 2025.
Arizona State plays the Red Raiders, Bears, Cyclones, and Utes in conference play - these teams having successful seasons would go a long ways towards the Sun Devils having built up favor among the selection committee.
Obviously the Sun Devils couldn't finish any worse than 10-2 to have a shot - but a Big 12 conference with upwards of five ranked teams could open the door for multiple selections.
High Volume of Convincing Victories
The Sun Devils could have an outside chance of being an at-large selection this season if the conference is much of the same as it was in 2024 - things would just be trickier.
Many of Arizona State's victories in conference play last season were tightly contested - single possession victories over UCF and Kansas highlighted how fragile the standing was for the team at times.
If the Sun Devils can put together more consistently dominant performances, it could be difficult to deny them a spot in the 12-team field if they were to reach double digit victories.
Ultimately, the ideal scenario is for Kenny Dillingham's squad to win another Big 12 championship and to be an automatic selection to a second ever College Football Playoff - but the requisite action must be taken on the field.
Read more about Leavitt being snubbed from a 2026 NFL draft big board here, and Jordyn Tyson's pursuits of being a high draft pick himself here.
Please let us know your thoughts on if Arizona state can reach the Playoff again without a conference title when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.
More must-reads:
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Predicting How UNC’s Offense Will Fare vs. NC State
The North Carolina Tar Heels will conclude their season with a road date against the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday. The Tar Heels have been one of the biggest disappointments in college football this season, failing to qualify for a bowl game. That became official after losing to the Duke Blue Devils last weekend, leaving North Carolina with a 4-7 record heading into the season finale. Despite being eliminated from postseason play, the Tar Heels have a lot to play for on Saturday, with a monumental in-state rivalry on tap. Offensively, North Carolina produced its best outing against Duke, as it had a well-balanced attack featuring the passing and rushing attack. The Tar Heels must replicate that same operation against an underrated Wolfpack defense. With that being said, here are statistical predictions for several of North Carolina's offensive players. Gio Lopez Stat line prediction: 20-of-29 for 201 yards, one touchdown, and one interception The junior quarterback has surpassed 200 passing yards in five straight games, and that streak could extend to six games on Saturday. North Carolina State's ability to score in bunches will force the Tar Heels into a pass-heavy game script, which will elevate Lopez's statistical output. Lopez will have to make timely throws against a defense that operates predominantly in man coverage. Jordan Shipp Stat line prediction: 9 targets, 6 receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown Shipp has been the top target in the passing game this season, and that will carry over into the final game of the season. The sophomore receiver's season outlook has been capped by poor quarterback play, as he has accumulated only 581 yards and five touchdowns through 11 games. That being said, this could be Shipp's second consecutive game with at least 75 receiving yards, and third time in four games, where he eclipses that mark. Davion Gause Stat line prediction: 10 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown The sophomore running back managed 63 yards and one rushing touchdown on eight carries last week against the Blue Devils. Gause could easily surpass that mark with a heavier workload against North Carolina State on Saturday. Now, Gause will not be running through the red sea like he was last week, as the Wolfpack's defense is much more dominant up front than what Duke has to offer. However, Gause has demonstrated that he can develop into a workhorse back heading into next season.
Details emerge on Francisco Lindor's alleged incident with Mets teammate
Mr. Smile apparently wasn’t smiling too much about one of his teammates last season. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor had a "heated confrontation" with teammate Jeff McNeil last June, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported on Friday. Puma writes that Lindor began verbally attacking McNeil on June 20 over a defensive lapse that McNeil had during that day’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The confrontation, which was only verbal and never got physical, came in the midst of a seven-game losing streak by the Mets at the time. Puma also reports that the flashy Lindor clashed personalities during the year with the business-like Juan Soto during the season as well. Interestingly enough, the five-time All-Star Lindor also had a confrontation with McNeil in the dugout during a game in the 2021 MLB season. That confrontation did turn physical, and Lindor later offered an extremely unconvincing excuse for the incident. Meanwhile, the incident last June underscored the Mets’ struggles to get on the same page with one another during the 2025 campaign. Despite having a mammoth $342 million payroll, the Mets completely collapsed in the final weeks of the season and missed the playoffs altogether. Now there are rumors that the Mets could make some big changes this offseason, including a potential trade of McNeil. After another apparent confrontation between the veteran utilityman and the four-time Silver Slugger Award winner Lindor, it is clear that something is not quite working right now in that clubhouse.
Jerry Jones claims Jets turned down absurd trade offer involving Micah Parsons, Quinnen Williams
Cardinals' Richard Fitts Reveals Reaction To Getting Traded By Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox made their first major trade of the offseason earlier this week, and Richard Fitts was on the business end of the deal. Fitts started this season in the Red Sox rotation, but injuries and struggles both took a toll. He wound up with a 5.00 ERA in 45 innings, and briefly flirted with a move to the bullpen late in the year before elbow neuritis ended his year early. Now that he's been dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of the package for three-time All-Star Sonny Gray, Fitts is looking forward to competing for a spot in a less experienced rotation. If you like our content, choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google. Fitts talks trade, Cardinals opportunity Fitts recently shared his mindset on the trade, admitting that he likely had a better chance to stick in the St. Louis rotation than he would have if he'd remained in Boston. “With this opportunity (with the Cardinals), if I am able to stay healthy, I think it’s just going to be a great fit and a way for me to stay in a rotation,” Fitts said, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. “I feel like I really grew as a pitcher with the Red Sox. "When I came over from the (New York) Yankees to the Red Sox, it was like, ‘Oh, this would be cool if I get to be a big leaguer over here.’ And now, moving to this opportunity, it’s like, ‘I am a big leaguer. How can I fit into (the Cardinals) rotation?’” Though he would have been buried on the depth chart a bit, the Red Sox definitely weren't happy to see Fitts go. He showed No. 4 starter promise during his September call-up a year ago, including a scoreless start against the Yankees, and he was a spring training darling this year, adding significant velocity and showcasing three breaking balls. While Gray gives the Red Sox a significantly higher floor than they had to start the week, the Red Sox know they incurred some long-term risks by moving on from Fitts and Brandon Clarke. But the beauty of building pitching depth over the past couple of years is that it allows them to take some risks.
Dallas Cowboys' chances of beating Lions just increased with an update the NFL world will hate to hear
The 6-5-1 Dallas Cowboys are looking to extend their win streak to four in a row next Thursday when they take on the 7-5 Detroit Lions on primetime television. Though the Lions are known as one of the best teams in the conference, they are struggling to be consistent on offense, and the defense has serious problems, too. There are a lot of factors that go into Detroit's biggest issues on offense, which was known as one of the scariest units in the league not that long ago. But it all starts with the trenches, where they simply haven't been the same. The Lions' offensive line's struggles reached the point where they had to draw former second-team All-Pro center Frank Ragnow out of retirement. However, Ragnow's return is over before it even got a chance to get going. Lions announce Ragnow failed his physical ahead of Cowboys matchup On Saturday, the Lions announced Ragnow's activation to the 53-man roster isn't happening after he failed his physical. "The medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will keep him from participating for the remainder of the regular season," the team's statement reads. "For that reason, Frank will not be rejoining the Lions." It was already unlikely Ragnow would play in Week 14 due to his inactivity this year. However, the Lions are reaching must-win territory, so it wasn't out of the question. This update confirms it. It's a disappointing update even though it helps the Cowboys' chances of winning. You never want to see a star's return get ruined before it even starts. But it is what it is in football. With that being said, there's no denying it's an objectively positive development for a Dallas team starving for any break it can get as it tries to make the playoffs. Cowboys' rising DL will face struggling Lions OL Over the last few years, the motor driving the Lions' success was its offensive line. Now that it's struggling, Jared Goff's play is showing flaws, and the run game has been inconsistent. On the other side, the Cowboys' defense is quickly improving. Since Quinnen Williams' arrival via trade, Matt Eberflus' unit has shown an ability to pressure the quarterback and stop the run. While it hasn't been perfect, it's that interior defensive line that's sparked quality play. The Cowboys are 3.5-point underdogs against the Lions heading into Week 14 but this advantage in the trenches could position them to pull off a third consecutive upset. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*'); This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Nov 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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