Devils in Detail
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Kenny Dillingham makes case for Arizona State to have first round CFP bye after winning Big 12

"We should be treated like we're 11-1, Big 12 Champs," Dillingham said post-game.

By Austen Bundy

Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham speaks with Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Xavion Alford (2) during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham speaks with Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Xavion Alford (2) during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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The Arizona State Sun Devils are Big 12 football champions and will be playing in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.

Now that the team has clinched a spot in the 12-team bracket, where it's seeded and who it will play are answers fans will get on Sunday when the selection committee releases the final field.

Entering the weekend, Arizona State was seeded No. 12 and would face the No. 5 seed (so far projected to be Penn State) on the road. Mountain West champion Boise State was projected to be seeded No. 4 and receive the final first-round bye.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham was well aware of the circumstances going into the big game and a 45-19 domination over Iowa State is his answer to the committee's doubts over ASU's worthiness of being one of the top four seeds.

After the conference title was clinched, Dillingham made a strong case for the Sun Devils to jump Boise State in the bracket during his post-game interview.

"Last year, [the CFP Selection Committee] kept Florida State out because their quarterback didn't play. We're 11-1 with our quarterback. 11-1. And we're Big 12 champs. I think we should be treated like an 11-1 team," he declared firmly.

Kenny Dillingham's case for an Top-4 seeding shouldn't fall on deaf CFP committee ears

The Sun Devils certainly made the statement win necessary to get the selection committee's attention on Saturday. A 26-point win over the No. 16 team in the nation should be more than enough to get ASU into the Top 12 rankings and a first-round bye considering Boise State's performance on Friday.

The Broncos defeated UNLV 21-7 but did not score a single point in the second half of the Mountain West Championship. Granted, Boise State's only loss is to undefeated No. 1 Oregon by a last-second field goal but their resume is less impressive and the eye-test favors the Sun Devils.

Arizona State's strength of schedule is ranked No. 72 compared to Boise State's No. 82 but when you dig deeper the gap between the two becomes even more vast.

Arizona State has four ranked wins to Boise State's one and the only common opponent they have is Wyoming. The Sun Devils won 48-7 whereas the Broncos narrowly escaped 17-13.

The Sun Devils deserve a first-round bye and the selection committee has more than enough evidence to make that determination expeditiously.