We’re still a few months away from the start of a new college football season and Arizona State’s first year in the Big 12 Conference.
The team has plenty of new faces entering Kenny Dillingham’s second season as head coach, but some prominent preseason college football sites still aren’t thinking much about the Sun Devils’ prospects in their new conference.
Athlon Sports picks ASU 13th out of the conference’s 16 teams, just behind Baylor and ahead of only Brigham Young, Cincinnati and Houston.
Conference newcomer Utah was the first pick, Kansas State second and Oklahoma State third. ASU has no players selected on the first or second team in the preseason individual player selections. He has center Leif Fautanu, running back Cameron Skattebo and safety Shamari Simmons listed as third-team selections.
Lindy’s Sports ranks ASU at No. 15, just behind Houston and ahead of only Cincinnati. That post picks Oklahoma State as the conference favorite, with Utah in second and Kansas in third. The only player of note is Fautanu, who is expected to be part of the second team.
“While the Sun Devils won’t be world champions, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were bowl eligible in their second season under head coach Kenny Dillingham. The overall trend line is up, as most of their starters won “. “They are not seniors and have proven they can successfully evaluate and recruit the transfer portal,” Athlon said in his evaluation.
Lindy’s assessment of the Sun Devils read: “With their NCAA investigation and subsequent sanctions behind them and ahead of their inaugural season as a Big 12 member, the Sun Devils are looking to turn the page after one of the worst seasons in program history. The offense has a low bar to clear to show legitimate progress in 2024 and will need to complement a capable defense.”
Both Athlon and Lindy list Arizona, ASU’s fiercest rival, in fifth place.
ASU is coming off a second straight 3-9 streak, in which numerous injuries have been a major factor, particularly on the offensive end. The Sun Devils open the new season at 7:30 p.m. on August 31 against Wyoming at Mountain America Stadium. That game will be broadcast on FS1.
ASU’s first Big 12 game will be at Texas Tech on September 12.
The defending conference champion is Texas, which moved to the SEC along with Oklahoma. The Longhorns defeated Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title game last season 49-21.
The first Big 12 Football Media Days featuring the conference’s four newcomers will take place July 9-10 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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