Arizona State: Big 12 Conference Champions
The glass slipper still fits for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Arizona State has proved all the doubters wrong. On Saturday afternoon, the Sun Devils showed that they belong in the Big 12 Conference and the College Football Playoff. ASU put down the Iowa State Cyclones with a very convincing 45-19 win to take home the Big 12 Conference Championship in their very first year in the conference.
At the beginning of the season most people who cover the team believed that if everything went the way the Sun Devils wanted it was going to be a 6-6 season at best. What the media, fans, alumni, and other Sun Devil supporters did not count on was the mind set that head coach, Kenny Dillingham, was instilling in his players and coaches.
Sun Devil running back, Cam Skattebo, and the rest of his Arizona State teammates took home the Big 12 Championship Trophy and became the College Football Playoff’s sole representative from the Big 12 Conference.
Skattebo ran for 170 yards, on 16 carries, two touchdowns, and a whopping 10.6 yards per carry. Cam Skattebo is the best running back in the entire country not named Ashton Jeanty. He is the heart and sole of this team. Skattebo is a straight shooter when you talk to him. Cam gives his teammates all the praise and regularly says that he would not be were he is at without his coaches and “brothers” on the team. After scoring on Saturday, Skattebo struck the Heisman pose to let people know he believes he belongs in the conversation for the most prestigious award in College Football.
His coaches and teammates believe he should be a Heisman Trophy Finalist, but as of this writing, he has not been named as a finalist. Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, Travis Hunter of Colorado certainly are on the short-list for the ceremony. Oregon quarterback, Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s quarterback, Cam Ward will more than likely round out the invitees to the Heisman ceremony.
However, this season for the Sun Devils has been a season of surprises, so don’t count out Skattebo getting to New York City for the Heisman Trophy activities.
“I’ve always been the underdog and nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country. No matter winning the Heisman or losing the Heisman, I should be in that situation.” Skattebo said after the win on Saturday.
Heading into the CFB Playoff, the Sun Devils will be carrying a six game winning streak. At 11-2 on the season, the Sun Devils received the number four seed in the 12 team playoff bracket. That means they get a first round bye. Having the extra week of rest will help the team with any nagging injuries or soreness before they take on the winner between Clemson and Texas. That quarterfinal game will take place in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
The Sun Devils won their first outright conference title since 1996 when the school was part of the Pac-10. Last season, Arizona State finished 3-9 and there was not a good feeling around the program. Thus, they were picked to finish last in the 16 team Big 12. The improvement of eight games is the biggest improvement for the Sun Devils in its history.
Needless to say, the Sun Devils are looking to add to that win improvement in the coming weeks. Forks Up!
Michael J. Wilson-The Daily Waiver