Prediction for Iowa State vs. Arizona State: Big 12 Championship Preview & Betting Odds

Iowa State vs Arizona State, Big 12 Championship Game Preview

What took place?

I thought this was going to be Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, or even Colorado, but it wasn’t. There is a different former Pac-12 team in the mix, as well as a program that needs something special for a long time.

Three years ago and again in 1911 and 1912, Iowa State won back-to-back conference titles.

The team had a rough few weeks, losing to Texas Tech and Kansas back-to-back. But they won three straight games, including a home win over Kansas State last week, to get here for their second chance at a Big 12 title. They lost to Oklahoma in 2020.

Arizona State has not won a straight conference title since 1996, when Bruce Snyder and Jake Plummer led the team to victory in the Pac-10.

In 2007, there was a co-championship. If the Sun Devils win this game, head coach Kenny Dillingham will have led them from 3-9 to the College Football Playoff in two years.

The winner goes to the CFP, and the loser doesn’t. The third seed will go to the team that beats SMU in the ACC Championship and Boise State in the Mountain West.

The Big 12 champion is either SMU or Boise State. If both SMU and Boise win, the Big 12 champion is likely the 12.

Arizona State vs Iowa State: How to Watch

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm
How To Watch: ABC
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Teams: Iowa State (10-2), Arizona State (10-2)

Why Arizona State Will Win

You understand what you are getting. Power running, a lot of energy, and a lot of happiness right now.

In the second half of the season, the passing attack has been a little better, but Cam Skattebo and the ground game are still what set the tone. It does not always get huge yards, but even when ASU only gets three yards per pop, it sets the tone. Everything fits together.

The Sun Devils do not waste time or balls and do not miss many chances. Sam Levitt threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Arizona, so the offence can open things up a bit. But again, it is all about the ground game.

The Iowa State defence is one of the worst in the Big 12 at stopping runs. But…

Why Iowa State Will Win

Iowa State leads the Big 12 in time of possession.

This is hardly a ground-and-pound team, but it has its style on offense that keeps most games from getting into shootouts, and the defense is great at taking the ball away.

There might not be a ton of tackles for loss, and the pass rush isn’t anything great, but Arizona State has the worst pass rush in the Big 12 – that should matter just a wee bit late.

Overall the ASU defense is a bit hit-or-miss, but it was picked apart by the BYU passing game and has problems when teams are hitting the midrange throws.

Cincinnati was able to beat the Sun Devils by dinking-and-dunking all day. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht is coming off a rough day in the win over Kansas State, but as long as he’s making his throw down throws …

Iowa State vs Arizona State, Big 12 Championship: Who Will Win?

There is a lot of logic that goes wrong with Iowa State.

When they lost to Texas Tech and Kansas, it was great on third downs. Those were also the two best passing games of the season. This group does better when it can move at its own pace. They are not always consistent, but they can do a lot of different things.

That is fine, but Arizona State will only go one speed.

Both teams should have scoring drives the whole game, making it a thriller. ASU will be a little better when it is time to take the air out of the ball in the fourth quarter.