3 reasons Arizona State will regress in 2025

Arizona State football gave fans a miracle season in 2024, winning the Big 12 conference in year one as a member and finishing No. 7 in the final AP poll after playing in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. It was, without a doubt, the best season in Tempe since 1996-97 when the team came one win short of a national title.

Now, as we prepare for the 2025 season, the Sun Devils have learned the official dates of their upcoming schedule. The timing of each matchup will be crucial but the opponents themselves are arguably more important. It's clear the level of difficulty has been upped for the Devils next season compared to last year.

There's plenty of reason to be optimistic that ASU can repeat as Big 12 champs. A vast majority of the starting roster from 2024 is returning and head coach Kenny Dillingham has another year of experience under his belt. However, let's just keep our wits about us and examine everything that could go wrong for the Devils and cause a sophomore slump.

3 reasons ASU football will regress in the 2025 season

1. A killer back half of the schedule

ASU's final eight games of the regular season include TCU, Utah, Texas Tech, Houston, Iowa State, West Virginia, Colorado and Arizona. That's a tough stretch to dominate for any team in the conference. If ASU can't find production replication in running back Cam Skattebo's replacements, Dillingham may be forced to rely on quarterback Sam Leavitt and the passing game too much against some solid secondaries. There's a lot of opportunity to lose three or four games here and that will end any chance at a repeat in Tempe.

2. The bye weeks are too close together

The Devils will be on a break in Week 6 and then again in Week 11, meaning they'll be getting much needed rest at critical junctures but that could destroy any momentum they build. Let's say the team starts off slow, perhaps 2-2 going into the first bye, the next four weeks will be critical in getting back on track. Ending a possible 4-0 resurgence for another bye week could put that momentum in jeopardy at the close of the season. It may be splitting hairs but we've seen weirder in college football.

3. The SEC could get inconvenient revenge

ASU dismantled a bad Mississippi State team in 2024 but it would be irresponsible to think the Bulldogs will be just as bad if not worse at home in 2025. Dillingham and Co. will need to be vigilant and ruthless heading East to SEC territory. An early loss could derail any repeat bid in the Big 12, especially with how tough of a slate of opponents the team will have to face in the final two months of the season. Underestimate the SEC at your own peril.