ASU defeated Iowa State in a thrilling match yesterday, but the question is, what does this victory mean to ASU? And what effect does the loss have on Cyclones? When we review the previous match, ASU won the match by the narrowest margin, 24-19. The analyst believes that ASU beating Iowa indicates that both teams attempted their best to lead the win to their respective teams. Now, we will explore what each of the teams did.
Arizona State: momentum and opportunity
This victory gave ASU a 6–3 record (42 Big 12), which formally earned the Sun Devils bowl eligibility and kept them in the Big 12 championship. Most importantly, I suppose, the play demonstrated the depth of the team at quarterback.
Jeff Sims, who was replaced instead of injured Sam Leavitt, produced an all-time high of 228 rushing yards, a testament to the fact that the Arizona State offense could still work--and still win, even without some of its key playmakers, such as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Arizona State also showed its strength in the face of adversity. The Sun Devils also survived 11 penalties and three turnovers, which would have easily turned the tide. Instead, they resorted to athletic execution and defensive composure to seal the victory.
Iowa State: a season slipping away
In the case of Iowa State, the loss represented the fourth consecutive loss of the team, a poor showing, following a start of 5-0. The Cyclones' offensive struggles had not yet ended, and quarterback Rocco Becht registered his worst passing numbers since Week 2.
Although Iowa State forced three turnovers, it scored six points on those chances and did not convert a fourth-down situation that was critical at the end of the game. This will be the longest losing streak that Iowa State has experienced since 2022, which points to deeper problems as the season approaches its final phase.