Let the controversy start.
Arizona State’s decisive Huge 12 championship sport win over Iowa State did not present a lot drama, however it should nonetheless gas arguments till the School Soccer Playoff committee reveals the 12-team playoff area.
With a 45-19 romp over CFP No. 16 Iowa State (10-3) on Saturday, No. 15 Arizona State (11-2) made a convincing closing assertion for a first-round bye.
For a refresher, within the 12-team playoff format, the 5 highest-ranked CFP convention champions obtain computerized bids, and the highest 4 obtain a bye.
In the latest rankings, Arizona State was the fifth-highest-ranked convention chief and the projected 12-seed within the CFP. If No. 8 SMU (11-1) beats No. 17 Clemson (9-3) on Saturday evening, the Solar Devils would be the lowest-ranked convention champion coming into Choice Sunday, setting them up for a first-round highway playoff sport.
However Arizona State has quietly compiled a resume that means it deserves a bye.
Over the past month, it is defeated two at present ranked CFP groups (No. 18 BYU, Iowa State) and one other — Kansas State — that was ranked No. 16 on the time and completed the season 8-4.
Its solely loss in its final 9 video games was in opposition to Cincinnati (5-7), which seems to be dangerous on the floor till you contemplate the Solar Devils have been with out beginning quarterback Sam Leavitt.
As Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham famous, final 12 months’s committee closely emphasised participant availability after undefeated Florida State misplaced quarterback Jordan Travis, electing to place one-loss Alabama into the sector as an alternative.
“Final 12 months, they stored Florida State out as a result of their quarterback did not play,” Dillingham stated. (h/t Terrible Asserting) “We’re 11-1 with our quarterback. 11-1. And we’re Huge 12 champs. I feel we must be handled like an 11-1 crew.”
