A year ago, when Arizona State won the Big 12 and made it into the College Football Playoff, they lost just two regular season games all year. One of them, a road loss to Cincinnati, featured backup quarterback Jeff Sims making his only start of the year in place of the injured Sam Leavitt.
Now, the 21st ranked Sun Devils are hoping to reverse course. Leavitt has been ruled out for tonight's game at Utah after being downgraded to doubtful on Thursday, sending shockwaves through the fan base. Unsurprisingly, betting markets have moved rapidly in Utah's favor: they're now 9.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings sportsbook.
Is that justified, though? Can Sims, who was once the starter at both Georgia Tech and Nebraska, shock the world? Let's take a look at what our panel of experts is thinking.
Austen Bundy (3-2)
Well, there's no way to sugarcoat it. Sam Leavitt's likely absence on Saturday is going to seriously impact the Sun Devil offense's ability to move the ball effectively. If the defense finds itself struggling in the first quarter like the last two games, a Jeff Sims-led offense won't have the same ability to recoup a 17-point deficit like Leavitt has before.
The weather will certainly be a factor. Ball security will be critical. Whoever wins the turnover margin will win the game. I'm tempering my expectations as this may be a Deja vu moment for ASU fans, thinking back to the Sam Leavitt-less loss to Cincinnati last year.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 21-17.
Andrew Hayslett (3-2)
This game is unpredictable. Will Sam Leavitt even play? Will there be thunderstorms or just rain? This will be a low scoring game regardless of the answers to those questions.
The run games will be dominant and both teams have excellent run games. Whoever has the best run game will control the time of possession. Whoever controls the time of possession will win the game.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 18-16
Tom Hardon (4-1)
There’s no sense in denying that Sam Leavitt’s downgrade to doubtful casts a pall over the collective outlook for this week’s game. On the road in Salt Lake City, at night, this has the recipe of an incoming loss.
This Sun Devil team has shown a next man up mentality on the defensive side of the ball, and now it’s time for the offense to show it. Especially with inclement weather in the forecast, this game looks to have the makings of a game that will be won in the trenches. Paraphrasing the Gospel according to Dr. Ian Malcolm, the Sun Devils will find a way to pull off a narrow victory.
Prediction: Sun Devils win 21-14
David Howman (3-2)
Truth be told, I had this game as a loss for Arizona State even before the Leavitt news. It's not that I don't believe in the Sun Devils - I definitely do - but I also believe in the Utes. The defense is always stout and hard to score against, and this year they have an explosive offense led by dual threat quarterback Devon Dampier.
If Leavitt were suiting up, I think this would be a close, hard-fought loss. But with Sims, who offers plus athleticism but has had issues with ball security over the years, I feel much less confident. I'd love to be proven wrong, of course.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 31-13