TEMPE, Ariz. — Oh, how the times have changed.
Back in August, Arizona State football fans were worried about exactly how the 2024 football season would play out in Tempe.
ASU was coming off of back-to-back 3-9 seasons and was picked by the media to finish last in the Big 12 in their first season in the conference.
However, here we stand heading into the final week of the season with ASU in first place in the conference after their biggest win in at least a decade.
ASU, which is currently ranked No. 21 in the nation, upset No. 14 BYU on Saturday, 28-23, to finish undefeated at home for the first time since 2004 and take over the top spot in the conference standings.
Here's what that win means for the Sun Devils' chances of advancing to the Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 7.
ASU Big 12 Championship Game Clinching Scenarios
The easiest way for ASU to clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game is to beat archrival Arizona in the Territorial Cup next Saturday.
That's because ASU would come out on top in any tiebreaking scenarios, according to ESPN's Max Olson.
There is a possibility that ASU could end up tied with BYU, Colorado and Iowa State, as all four schools could end up with identical 7-2 conference records if all four schools win next week.
In that scenario, the tiebreaker would be the common opponents all four of those teams played (Kansas State, Kansas, Central Florida and Utah).
ASU would get a spot in the championship game, as they are 4-0 against those teams. The opponent in the title game in this scenario would be Iowa State.
If ASU loses to Arizona, then they will likely miss out on the Big 12 Championship.
And when it comes to making the new 12-team College Football Playoff, ASU likely would not make it unless they win the Big 12 Championship Game.
Enjoy the ride, Sun Devil fans. It's going to be crazy next Saturday.
ASU will play Arizona in the 98th edition of the Territorial Cup on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Arizona Stadium in Tucson.
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