Kenny Dillingham was mid-interview when a reporter dropped the news that would change everything. The Arizona State Sun Devils had just cracked the AP Preseason Top-25 Poll at No. 11, their third-highest preseason ranking in program history. But instead of celebrating the recognition, Dillingham had just one demand for his administration.
Why Did Kenny Dillingham Focus on Facilities Instead of Rankings?
The Sun Devils’ No. 11 ranking in the AP Preseason Top-25 Poll represents a massive leap for the program. Only twice before has Arizona State entered a season ranked higher, with No. 8 in 1998 and No. 3 in 1976 marking the program’s peak preseason expectations.
Arizona State now leads all Big 12 teams in the preseason poll, a striking transformation from last season. The Sun Devils weren’t even ranked to start the 2024-25 campaign, yet they shocked the college football world by capturing the Big 12 championship and reaching the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
However, when Dillingham learned about the ranking during his interview, his reaction focused on something far more practical than preseason hype. His immediate response centered on the team’s infrastructure needs.
“I feel like the No. 11th-ranked team should get an indoor (facility) built pretty quickly,” Dillingham said.
Kenny Dillingham when asked about Arizona State being ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP poll:
“I feel like the No. 11th-ranked team should get an indoor (facility) built pretty quickly.” pic.twitter.com/ffY2sSGyLz
— Jordan Hamm (@JordyHamm) August 11, 2025
How Did Arizona State Transform from Last Place Projections to Top 11?
The Sun Devils completely rewrote the Big 12’s preseason narrative in 2024-25. Projected to finish dead last in the 16-team conference, Arizona State went from a disappointing 3-9 record to an 11-3 campaign culminating in conference championship glory.
That remarkable turnaround was built around several key returning players. Quarterback Sam Leavitt returns after a record-breaking freshman season, accumulating 3,328 yards of total offense to break Arizona State’s freshman record. His 2,885 passing yards ranked second in program history for a first-year player, earning him Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors.
Leavitt’s primary target, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, also returns after hauling in 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. The quarterback-receiver connection formed one of the Big 12’s most explosive combinations.
On defense, edge rusher Clayton Smith provides veteran leadership and pass-rushing ability. Meanwhile, the backfield welcomes former Army running back Kanye Udoh, who is expected to step into the RB1 role after rushing for 1,117 yards at 6.0 yards per carry in his previous stop.
Replacing Cam Skattebo won’t be easy, though. Skattebo accumulated over 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns from scrimmage in 2024-25, and filling that production void may require contributions from multiple players.
Can Arizona State Navigate Its Challenging 2025-26 Schedule?
The Sun Devils open their 2025-26 campaign on August 30 against Northern Arizona in Tempe. However, the real test comes during a brutal midseason stretch that could define their championship aspirations.
After opening Big 12 play, Arizona State faces a gauntlet featuring high-powered offenses from Baylor and TCU, followed by physical, trench-dominant teams in Utah and Texas Tech. This four-game stretch represents the season’s most critical period.
One loss during that span might be manageable for a team with championship hopes. More than that could derail their title pursuit in a conference loaded with talent and depth.
With expectations soaring and a No. 11 preseason ranking to live up to, Arizona State enters year three under Dillingham with everything in place for another magical run. The question now becomes whether they can handle the pressure that comes with being ranked among college football’s elite from day one.
