ASU HC Makes Case for Bye in CFP Bracket: 'We Should Be Treated Like an 11-1 Team'

After No. 15 Arizona State secured a Big 12 Championship game victory on Saturday, head coach Kenny Dillingham wasn't satisfied with clinching a College Football Playoff spot.

Following the Sun Devils' 45-19 win over No. 16 Iowa State, Dillingham campaigned for his team to receive a first-round bye.

"Last year they kept Florida State out because their quarterback didn't play," Dillingham said. "We're 11-1 with our quarterback, and we're Big 12 champs. I think we should be treated like an 11-1 team."

Arizona State owns a record of 11-2 this season, with one of their losses occurring without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt under center.

The defeat was against Cincinnati on Oct. 19 as the Bearcats prevailed 24-14. The scoring total represented a season-low mark for the Sun Devils.

Senior Jeff Sims started the contest, but he wasn't able to replicate Leavitt's impact. The redshirt freshman Michigan State transfer is in the midst of a strong inaugural season with Arizona State.

Entering Saturday's contest, Leavitt completed 62.7 percent of his throws for 2,444 yards and 12 touchdowns compared to five interceptions. He remained poised in the pocket against the Cyclones, passing for 219 yards and racking up four total scores.

Dillingham referenced Florida State's 2023 campaign, as the Seminoles sat at 13-0 following an ACC Championship win but were ultimately left out of the four-team playoff after quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending leg injury.

Florida State eventually lost in the Orange Bowl by the final score of 63-3.

While the Sun Devils' situation is slightly different considering Leavitt is back on the field, Dillingham understandably wants his team to receive a bye.

In the new 12-team format, the top four conference champions receive first-round byes and the remaining eight schools will square off in on-campus showdowns on the higher-seeded team's home turf.

Saturday night's clash for the ACC title between No. 8 SMU and No. 17 Clemson could determine the Sun Devils' CFP bye status, but Dillingham believes that his team should receive one of the top spots regardless of the result.