In 2024, the Arizona State football team came out of nowhere to win the Big 12 and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Can the Sun Devils do it again in the 2026 season?
While Arizona State isn't among the favorites to win the conference (BetMGM Sportsbook has ASU football tied for eighth in odds to win the Big 12), one college football writer lists Kenny Dillingham's team as the Big 12's "sleeper" team for the College Football Playoff, including Arizona State as a CFP dark horse.
USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg wrote of the Sun Devils' chances: "Texas Tech is the overwhelming favorite even without Brendan Sorsby. Just behind are No. 15 Brigham Young, No. 21 Utah and No. 24 Houston. Admittedly, picking Arizona State is a gamble. The Sun Devils look
much different than last season and will be very reliant on one of the league’s top transfer classes. But ASU won the Big 12 in 2024, won eight games last season and could pop back toward the top of the standings if a totally reworked offensive line gives the skill talent room and time to operate."
Washington is listed as the Big Ten's sleeper team, while Oklahoma is the dark-horse team from the SEC in Myerberg's list.
The ACC sleeper is Clemson, while East Carolina, Delaware, Central Michigan, North Dakota State, Washington State and Marshall are the sleepers from the smaller conferences.
Could Arizona State be among the nation's surprise teams this season? As 2024 proved, you can't count the Sun Devils out.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State football among College Football Playoff dark-horse teams
