Arizona State
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Can Arizona State Turn Expectations Into Championships?
Every season has defining moments. But this season in particular is a big one for Arizona State.
Sometimes they’re obvious—a ranked showdown in November or a rivalry game with conference implications. Other times they’re the quiet Saturdays that reveal whether a team is truly ready to contend.
Arizona State enters 2026 with something it hasn’t carried in years: expectations. The Sun Devils are no longer the surprise team. Opponents understand what Kenny Dillingham has built. Every conference game will feature a team eager to knock Arizona State off its perch. That reality makes consistency more important than ever.
Championship teams don’t simply beat elite opponents. They avoid disappointing losses. As talented as this roster is, the margin for error in the Big 12 remains razor thin. One slow start or one turnover-filled afternoon can dramatically alter a championship race.
The schedule presents opportunities, but it also demands maturity. This is a roster capable of winning ten games. It’s also a roster young enough that a few growing pains are inevitable. With that in mind, here’s an early look at how the 2026 season could unfold.
Way-Too-Early Game-by-Game Predictions for Arizona State
Week 1 — Morgan State
Prediction: Win
Every season begins with establishing identity, and Arizona State should have the talent advantage from the opening kickoff. Expect Kenny Dillingham to play aggressively early before rotating younger players into the game.
Player to Watch: Cutter Boley
Score Prediction: Arizona State 45, Morgan State 10
Week 2 — at Texas A&M
Prediction: Loss
Kyle Field is one of the toughest environments in college football, particularly for a quarterback making one of his first starts as the full-time starter. Arizona State hangs around for three quarters, but the Aggies pull away late behind their depth and home-field advantage.
Player to Watch: Clayton Smith
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Arizona State 24
Week 3 — Kansas (London)
Prediction: Win
International games have a way of becoming unpredictable, but Arizona State’s defense forces multiple turnovers while the offense settles into a rhythm during the second half. AJ Ia is flourishing through 3 weeks of his sophomore campaign and is becoming a primary target in a loaded room for Cutter Boley.
Player to Watch: AJ Ia
Score Prediction: Arizona State 30, Kansas 20
Week 4 — Baylor
Prediction: Win
Conference play begins with an important opportunity to build momentum. Baylor keeps things competitive early, but Arizona State’s balanced offense proves to be the difference in the fourth quarter. Arizona State leaves nothing to chance in this first conference match up. Showing everyone that they came to play and who to be afraid of in the Big 12. Omarion Miller is starting to become a household name in Tempe and getting national recognition. Expect 100 yards, 7 receptions, and 2 touchdowns from him in this one.
Player to Watch: Omarion Miller
Score Prediction: Arizona State 34, Baylor 24
Week 5 — Hawaii
Prediction: Win
This is the type of game championship-caliber teams are expected to handle comfortably. The Sun Devils establish the run early and cruise after halftime. A loaded backfield sees one man emerge as the #1 guy in Kyson Brown. Brown has 2 touchdowns in this one and it sat at halftime in a rout.
Player to Watch: Kyson Brown
Score Prediction: Arizona State 41, Hawaii 17
Week 6 — Texas Tech
Prediction: Win
One of the most entertaining games on the schedule by far. In Lubbock, coming off the back of a drama filled off season, Texas Tech does not grade out to be the team that everyone plans on them being. Texas Tech’s passing attack creates problems, but Brian Ward’s defense delivers a game-changing takeaway late in the fourth quarter.
Player to Watch: Lyrik Rawls
Score Prediction: Arizona State 31, Texas Tech 27
Week 7 — Kansas State
Prediction: Win
Kansas State’s physical style of play presents one of the toughest match ups on the schedule. The Wild Cats seemingly always pose a threat to ASU for whatever reason. With this game being at home, I truly believe that the Sun Devils put together a complete game, Owen Long blasts onto the field mid season with 2 sacks and 2 TFL’s in this game to seal the deal for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Player to Watch: Owen Long
Score Prediction: Kansas State 17, Arizona State 28
Week 8 — BYU
Prediction: Loss
Playing in Provo is never easy. The elevation, the electric crowd, and a mid-season likely top 25 road match up is a recipe for disaster for the Sun Devils. Cutter Boley puts together a complete game, but the Sun Devils still fall short on the road.
Player to Watch: Cutter Boley
Score Prediction: Arizona State 28, BYU 31
Week 9 — Colorado
Prediction: Win
Colorado’s athleticism creates early challenges, but Arizona State’s depth wears the Buffaloes down over four quarters. There are been bad blood between these two teams since the Sanders/Hunter era when Sanders did his signature watch celebration after a win in Tempe. I suspect this to be a rather easy game from start to finish for the Sun Devils. The Buffs score late to make the game look closer than it actually was.
Player to Watch: Omarion Miller
Score Prediction: Arizona State 35, Colorado 21
Week 10 — UCF
Prediction: Win
Expect points. UCF’s speed will test the Sun Devils, but Arizona State answers with timely red-zone execution and a late defensive stop. This late game, conference realignment head scratcher will likely be a late season mid day game in Florida.The game that has a weird potential for a late season upset turns into a barn burner. AJ Ia has 75 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Sun Devils to victory.
Player to Watch: AJ Ia
Score Prediction: Arizona State 38, UCF 31
Week 11 — Oklahoma State
Prediction: Win
One of Arizona State’s most complete performances of the year. The defensive front controls the game while the offense efficiently finishes drives. The defense forces Drew Mestemaker into some bad decisions which gives Arizona State several chances with a short field. Oklahoma State makes a late flurry but still loses by double digits.
Player to Watch: Clayton Smith
Score Prediction: Arizona State 30, Oklahoma State 17
Week 12 — Arizona
Prediction: Win
Records rarely matter in the Territorial Cup, but Arizona State enters rivalry week playing its best football. The Sun Devils force multiple turnovers and celebrate another rivalry victory after last season’s brutal beat down on the back of several injuries. The last time Arizona State went to Tucson, they won by a score of 49-7. I expect ASU to win this game handily.
Player to Watch: Ashton Stamps
Score Prediction: Arizona State 34, Arizona 20
Arizona State: Five Bold Predictions
1. Cutter Boley earns Second-Team All-Big 12 honors.
The former Kentucky transfer settles into Kenny Dillingham’s offense and emerges as one of the conference’s rising quarterbacks. The Big 12 contingent currently thinks that Cutter Boley isn’t cut out for the Big 12 but many people forget that he was SEC All-Freshman team last season for a team that wasn’t particularly known for their offensive prowess last season. I think that Cutter Boley settles in nicely and drives ASU to the top of the Big 12 in his first season in Tempe.
2. AJ Ia leads Arizona State in touchdown receptions.
The sophomore tight end becomes Cutter Boley’s favorite target inside the red zone and develops into one of the Big 12’s most difficult match up problems. After the graduation departure of Chamon Metayer, AJ Ia has the chance to not only become one of Arizona States best red zone pass catchers, but a player who requires frequent eyes opening up additional opportunities for the offense.
3. Arizona State finishes among the Big 12’s top three defenses.
Brian Ward’s aggressive philosophy continues to generate sacks, turnovers and game-changing plays. The defense who was once worried about their loss of production after losing 5 bona fide defensive starters, and 12 total defense players from last years team
4. Omarion Miller eclipses 1,000 receiving yards.
Replacing Jordyn Tyson’s production won’t come from one player alone, but Miller establishes himself as the offense’s primary deep threat. The combo of Omarion Miller and Reed Harris in the WR1 and WR2 slots maybe one of the best duos in the nation. The only reason Miller doesn’t eclipse 1,000 is if both Miller and Harris finish with 900 a pop.
5. Kenny Dillingham is a finalist for Big 12 Coach of the Year.
If Arizona State reaches double-digit wins again, Dillingham will once again be recognized among the nation’s best young coaches taking a core team who recruits to develop a culture rather than winning games. Winning games is just a by product of what Kenny Dillingham is doing in Tempe.
Season Awards
Offensive MVP:
Cutter Boley
Defensive MVP:
Clayton Smith
Breakout Player:
AJ Ia
Most Improved:
Omarion Miller
Unsung Hero
Adrian “Boogie” Wilson
Final Prediction
The greatest difference between this team and those from the early years of Kenny Dillingham’s tenure isn’t talent. It’s expectation. Arizona State now recruits like a contender, Develops players like a contender, and retains coaches like a contender.
The next step is proving it can sustain that success year after year. There will be difficult Saturdays. A young quarterback will experience growing pains. The offensive line will need time to develop chemistry. But this roster is balanced, experienced, and well coached enough to remain firmly in the Big 12 championship conversation.
Final Record: 10–2
Big 12 Record: 7–2
Conference Finish: 2nd
Bowl Projection: Alamo Bowl
Final AP Ranking: No. 15
The rebuild is complete. For the first time in years, Arizona State isn’t chasing respect.
It’s chasing championships.
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