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Arizona State clinches College Football Playoff berth, completes worst-to-first run with Big 12 title game win

ARLINGTON, Texas -- No. 15 Arizona State pounded No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 to clinch the 2024 Big 12 championship and lock up a spot in the College Football Playoff. Running back Cameron Skattebo had a monster game with 170 yards on the ground, 28 through the air and three total touchdowns to carry the Sun Devils to their first outright conference title since 1996. 

Without wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in the lineup, much was put on Skattebo and quarterback Sam Leavitt. Skattebo broke off a 28-yard carry on the first play of the game, which was a sign of things to come. He later had carries of 53 yards and 47 yards that set up other touchdowns. Perhaps the biggest tone-setting play of the game, though, was Leavitt using a play-action to Skattebo on fourth down to set up a 63-yard pass deep into the red zone. 

Iowa State scored on its first two drives but eventually broke serve and struggled to recover. The Cyclones missed a 46-yard field goal, which kicked off a six-drive stretch without any points. By the time they scored again, Arizona State had taken a 45-10 lead in the third quarter and the game was over. Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns in the win, with seven catches for 115 yards going to Jayden Higgins. 

With the win, Arizona State has clinched one of the five automatic bids in the College Football Playoff, joining No. 10 Boise State, who captured the Mountain West title on Friday. The Sun Devils are projected to capture the 12-seed and likely face a road trip to either Penn State or Notre Dame, depending on results. 

Read on below for takeaways from Arizona State's dominant win in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday. 

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Worst to first

Expectations were low for Arizona State under Kenny Dillingham heading into the Big 12. The Sun Devils were picked last place in the Big 12 preseason media poll and given little chance to recover after losing against Cincinnati early in the season. Since that moment, the program has been on a tear and is now the first team to ever go from picked last to first since the Big 12 was formed in 1996. 

The Sun Devils are on a six-game winning streak, shocking Kansas State and BYU along the way. The matchup against Iowa State was the first-ever meeting between these two teams, and they responded with the second-biggest victory since the Big 12 Championship Game returned in 2017. 

Now, Arizona State will clinch its spot in the College Football Playoff. The battle for the first-round bye will be fierce and likely necessitates a Clemson upset of SMU, but a performance this impressive will at least give them a chance. 

 
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Lack of playmaking

Iowa State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser did a great job early in the game of using misdirection to find opportunities for his playmakers. The first touchdown drive came without using either his star receivers Jayden Higgins or Jaylin Noel. But as the game went on, the lack of dynamic playmakers really sunk the team. 

The Cyclones failed to have a play longer than 20 yards for most of the game and did not have a run longer than 16 yards. With the game played in a phone booth, they averaged 4.9 yards per play to 8.1 for Arizona State. Iowa State has done a great job of developing and clinched the first 10-win season in program history. Can they find the speed to compete with the best? 

 
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Skattebo show

Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo has been one of the most underrated players in college football all season, but the Big 12 Championship Game was his finest moment. The former Sacramento State transfer exploded for 208 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in a monstrous performance, one of the best in college football this season. 

After a 33-yard receiving touchdown on third down, Skattebo pulled up and hit the Heisman Trophy pose in the end zone. While Skattebo probably can't catch Ashton Jeanty or Travis Hunter for the award, he should get serious consideration from voters to reach New York after his legendary season. Heading into the Big 12 title game, Skattebo trailed only Jeanty in all-purpose yards per game. 

 
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Iowa State scores

MID 4Q: No. 15 Arizona State 45, No. 16 Iowa State 19

Iowa State has scored a touchdown! Becht connected with Jaylin Noel for a 25-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 45-19 with 7:27 to go. The Cyclones' 2-point conversion failed. That is Iowa State's touchdown since the first quarter.

 
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Becht knocked out by targeting

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht was knocked out of the game after suffering a brutal hit that was later ruled targeting on ASU nickel Shamari Simmons. Simmons got a completely free rush on the quarterback and blasted him, but it was ruled that the crown of his helmet hit Becht. He will have to miss the first half of a CFP game. Backup Connor Moberly entered the game for Becht. 

 
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Arizona State inching closer to CFP

END 3Q: No. 15 Arizona State 45, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Arizona State played one of the most dominant quarters we've seen from a team this season. The Sun Devils forced three turnovers and scored three touchdowns to take a commanding 45-10 lead into the fourth quarter of the Big 12 Championship Game. ASU has not won an outright conference championship since 1996 and was picked last place in the preseason Big 12 poll. The Sun Devils will clinch a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff with a win.

 
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What is happening?

LATE 3Q: No. 15 Arizona State 45, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Stop me if you have heard this before: Iowa State turned the ball over. The Cyclones came into the weekend (per the ESPN broadcast) having lost three fumbles all season. Iowa State fumbled for the second time this half to give ASU the ball back. Arizona State made Iowa State pay moments later when Leavitt connected with Skattebo for a 33-yard touchdown.

 
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This isn't your typical Big 12 game

There were 74 Big 12 conference games this season. The average MOV was 14.07 points per game, and only 8 of those 74 games featured an MOV of 28+.

Arizona State is currently up 28 with 21 minutes to play in the Big 12 Championship.

December 7, 2024, 7:28 PM
Dec. 07, 2024, 2:28 pm EST
 
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Arizona State extends lead

MID 3Q: No. 15 Arizona State 38, No. 16 Iowa State 10

After Iowa State turned the ball over deep in its own territory, Arizona State made them pay, again. Leavitt connected with Guillory again, this time on a 21-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 28. This game might be over.

 
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Another disaster drive for Iowa State

MID 3Q: No. 15 Arizona State 31, No. 16 Iowa State 10

The one thing Iowa State couldn't do there was turn the ball over, and that's exactly what happened. Arizona State DB Keith Abney ll picked off Becht to give his team a very favorable field position.

 
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ASU extends lead

MID 3Q: No. 15 Arizona State 31, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Arizona State is pouring it on here. After Iowa State fumbled, the Sun Devils made them pay with an 11-play, 43-yard drive. Leavitt connected with WR Xavier Guillory for an 8-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 21 with 7:38 to play in the third quarter. 

 
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Disaster for ISU

Iowa State got the ball coming out of halftime, but their advantage lasted only about a minute. Cyclones running back Abu Sama fumbled the ball on the first drive and Arizona State again has the ball near midfield with a chance to push its massive lead. 

 
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Skattebo leads ASU to halftime lead

No. 15 Arizona State 24, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Arizona State takes a commanding 24-10 lead into halftime against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Sun Devils have used explosive plays to take control of the game, especially from running back Cameron Skattebo. 

Skattebo broke off a massive 53-yard run near the end of the first half to help spark a shocking 2-minute conversion touchdown to take a multi-score lead into halftime. He also had a rush for 28 yards on the first play of the game and another 47-yarder to set up another touchdown. The senior sits at 10 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns at halftime. 

Quarterback Sam Leavitt also added a 63-yard, fourth-down conversion pass to Melquan Stovall to set up another touchdown, part of a 147-yard half on only eight pass attempts. He also has a rushing score of his own. 

Iowa State has been steady offensively, but unable to keep up with the fireworks. The Cyclones had zero plays of more than 19 yards in the first half and finished with nearly 150 fewer yards than the Sun Devils. Star 1,000-yard receivers combined for only five catches in the half as the highly-ranked defense allowed 170 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. 

ASU has not won an outright conference championship since 1996 and was picked last place in the preseason Big 12 poll. Iowa State boasts the nation's longest FBS conference title drought and has not captured one since 1912 as members of the MVIAA. One of those droughts will end on Saturday. 

 
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ISU breaks first

2Q: No. 15 Arizona State 17, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Iowa State is having a tremendously efficient game with a success rate that ranks in the 98th percetile. However, Arizona State has used explosive plays to flip the game on its head. Running back Cameron Skattebo has multiple explosive runs and the 63-yard pass to Melquan Stovall on fourth-and-1 could prove to be a massive swing. Iowa State missed a field goal. 

 
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Oh my Skattebo

2Q: No. 15 Arizona Sate 17, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Arizona State running back knew he was going up against the nation's No. 97 rushing defense. His last one ran was one of his best. Skattebo broke off a 47-yard rush through tons of contact to again flip the game on its head. Quarterback Sam Leavitt added a scramble of his own and Skattebo converted to the drive into a touchdown. Early in the second quarter, Skattebo has seven carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. The Sun Devils have already rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns as a team. 

 
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Penalty proves costly for ISU

2Q: No. 15 Arizona State 10, No. 16 Iowa State 10

Iowa State was on the edge of the goal line with a chance to take the lead, but wide receiver Jayden Higgins moved early and was called for a false start. Instead of scoring another touchdown, Iowa State was forced to settle for a 36-yard field goal. The game is tied, but ISU will regret wasting the opportunity. 

 
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ASU leads early

End 1Q: No. 15 Arizona State 10, No. 16 Iowa State 7

No. 15 Arizona State holds an early lead over No. 16 Iowa State after the first quarter in the Big 12 Championship Game. The two teams have scored on all three completed drives at this point, and the Cyclones are driving down the field with a chance to take the lead early in the second quarter. 

ASU running back Cameron Skattebo has been the early star, as expected, with 35 yards on the ground. However, a nifty fourth-down conversion for 63 yards to Melquan Stovall swung the game. Iowa State has not allowed pressures or tackles for loss and is steadily marching down the field. On their most recent drive, receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel have combined for 50 yards. 

The winner of this matchup earns a trip to the College Football Playoff, and both offensive coordinators are playing their games. 

 
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Leavitt gets in

1Q: No. 16 Arizona State, 10, No. 15 Iowa State 7

Iowa State has been one play away from major stops multiple times, but Arizona State just keeps coming. The Sun Devils got stuffed on first and second down, but offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo dialed up a quarterback bootleg around the edge, which Leavitt converted into a touchdown. Arizona State needed a third down and fourth down conversion on that drive, but Kenny Dillingham's aggressiveness paid off. 

 
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ASU hits major shot

1Q: No. 16 Iowa State 7, No. 15 Arizona State 3

Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo got stuffed on third-and-1, which appeared to be a stop for the Iowa State defense. Of course, Kenny Dillingham is no passive coach. Arizona State appeared to run play action on fourth down, but ASU pulled the ball against the overpursuing Cyclones and found a wide open Melquan Stovall for 63 yards to reach the red zone. That's the kind of utsy decision that has changed games for this Arizona State team. 

 
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ISU spreads the ball

1Q: No. 16 Iowa State 7, No. 15 Arizona State 3

Iowa State boasts the only 1,000-yard receiving teammates in college football. On the Cyclones' first drive, ISU proved they don't need either to score. The Cyclones went 11 plays for 75 yards to score the first touchdown of the game against Arizona State in a drive that lasted more than five minutes. Neither Noel nor Higgins caught a pass on the drive. 

Instead, running back Carson Hansen and tight end Gabe Burkle combined for all five completions by quarterback Rocco Becht, including a three-yard goal line catch by Hansen for a score. Iowa State's running backs also combined for 18 yards on three carries. Spreading the ball around makes ISU difficult to stop. 

 
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ASU strikes first

1Q: No. 15 Arizona State 3, No. 16 Iowa State 0

Arizona State's scripted drive showed off a number of different looks against a tough Iowa State defense. Running back Cameron Skattebo broke off a 28-yard run on the first play and quarterback Sam Leavitt also hit on a 22-yard throw downfield against the nation's No. 3 pass defense. Leavitt barely missed Xavier Guillory on a potential touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. It was a good first showing, but the Sun Devils would have benefitted greatly from seven. 

 
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Skattebo gets going early 

Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo wasted no time setting the tone for the rushing offense. Skattebo broke off a run of 28 yards on the first play of the game against a lower-tier Big 12 rushing defense. To beat the Cyclones without top receiver Jordyn Tyson, Skattebo needed to have a big day. Clearly, he knows it.

 
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Game prediction

It's rare that an individual player can swing a championship game, but the loss of Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson could do just that. Iowa State boasts an elite passing defense the Sun Devils don't have the weapons to attack it if the offense is one-dimensional. If ISU keeps the game in front of it, the Cyclones will finally end their 112-year conference title drought. Pick: Iowa State +2.5

Arizona State vs. Iowa State live stream, where to watch, TV channel, Big 12 Championship Game odds, pick
Shehan Jeyarajah
Arizona State vs. Iowa State live stream, where to watch, TV channel, Big 12 Championship Game odds, pick

Arizona State vs. Iowa State prediction, pick, spread, Big 12 Championship odds, where to watch, TV, stream

 
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History made

For anyone wondering why Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is one of the most respected in the industry, look to the history of the program. The Cyclones have not won a conference championship since 1912, when they were members of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. They haven't won 10 games in the history of the program, which dates back to the 19th Century. Prior to Campbell's hiring in 2016, the Cyclones had one season with a winning Big 12 record since the league was founded in 1996. Campbell has done it in seven of the last eight years. A conference championship and trip to the College Football Playoff would be the perfect way to cap it off. 

 
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Major injury

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson will miss the Big 12 Championship Game after suffering an apparent upper-body injury in the season-ending win against Arizona. Tyson was a first-team All-Big 12 wide receiver and led the nation in receiving yards per game in November. No other wide receiver on the roster posted more than 17 catches. Losing Tyson could prove costly as the Sun Devils now play the No. 3 passing defense in America, Iowa State. The Cyclones hold opponents to only 156.9 yards per game through the air with 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. ASU will have to find some help. 

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