It’s been nine seasons since the Arizona State football program finished inside the AP Top 25. The Sun Devils labored through the final years of the Todd Graham era, faced NCAA sanctions during their tenure under Herm Edwards, and will enter year two with Kenny Dillingham at the helm next fall. Fresh off a tough 3-9 season, ASU will transition to the Big 12 in 2024, their first outside the Pac-12 (formerly the Pac-10) since 1977. Despite Dillingham and company expecting an increase in wins next season, the Big 12 media isn’t as bullish on their future outlook.
On Tuesday, the Big 12’s highly anticipated media preseason poll hit made its rounds via social media. With juggernauts Texas and Oklahoma gone and USC, Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State in, the conference will look new next year. The Big 12 media members had two former Pac-12 programs at the bookends, with Utah owning the top spot and Arizona State finishing dead last at 16th.
Arizona State Football: Ranks Last in Big 12 Media Preseason Poll
Barring a complete turnaround, Arizona State football will need more time to finish near the top of the new-look Big 12. However, Big 12 media members placed them dead last in their 2024 preseason poll. Arizona State went just 3-9 last year, receiving little production from the quarterback position while surrendering 31.8 points per game, the 110th mark in the country. However, after a 1-6 start to the season, with their lone win coming at home by three points against Southern Utah, the Sun Devils finished the year 2-3. ASU took down Washington State and UCLA near season’s end.
However, the Big 12 media has more optimism regarding other former Pac-12 clubs, specifically the Utah Utes. Utah finished atop the Big 12 media’s preseason poll, ranking ahead of conference holdovers Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Kansas, among others. Arizona State football arch-rival Arizona also clocked in at the number five spot after a 10-3 season last year. Meanwhile, Colorado, the fourth and final Pac-12 team transitioning to the Big 12, finished six spots behind Arizona.
ASU Football: Eyeing Improved 2024 Season
The Sun Devils will look to improve in year two of the Kenny Dillingham era next fall. After one season in Tempe, former five-star recruit Jaden Rashada darted for Georgia via the transfer portal this offseason, opening the door for Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt. Rashada threw for just four touchdowns against three picks in an injury-riddled freshman season, while Leavitt, a fellow freshman, tossed two touchdowns against two picks. Meanwhile, wideout Elijhah Badger also left Arizona State football for the transfer portal. Badger led the Sun Devils in receiving yards during the past two seasons.
Additionally, Arizona State has added multiple transfers for next season, with Ourlads projecting five new incomers to start on defense. San Diego State transfer linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu will play a significant role after posting a 66-tackle, 11.5-TFL season in 2023. Fellow linebacker Keyshaun Elliot will also bring a decorated college career to Tempe after collecting 111 tackles with New Mexico State last season.
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