On Saturday, No. 15 ASU football made a significant mark by dominating No. 16 Iowa State 45 - 19 in the Big 12 Championship Game. This victory not only ensured their place in the College Football Playoff bracket but also left them eagerly awaiting their opponent and the possibility of a first-round bye. Head coach Kenny Dillingham, referring to ASU's loss at Cincinnati without quarterback Sam Leavitt, expressed the team's belief that they should be treated as an 11 - 1 team. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, before presenting the championship trophy to Dillingham, assured them that they had "punched their ticket to [Glendale for the Fiesta Bowl]."

Bye Weeks and Conference Champions

Bye weeks are awarded to the four highest-rated conference champions based on the committee's rankings. Saturday night's ACC Championship Game between No. 8 SMU and No. 17 Clemson is likely to be the determining factor. If SMU wins, they will almost certainly secure their bye slot. No. 10 Boise State also had a successful outing, beating No. 20 UNLV at home in the Mountain West title game, likely maintaining their bye. However, the point differential of ASU's dominant win could also play a role in the seeding. The committee will weigh Boise State's 14 - point win over a No. 20 team at home against ASU's 26 - point win over a No. 16 team on a neutral field.

Potential Playoff Paths for ASU

If ASU gets a bye week, they could potentially be set up for a Fiesta Bowl appearance in the quarterfinals. But if they don't get the bye, they would likely be one of the final teams slotted in. Even with their blowout win, they might jump No. 11 Alabama. Without a bye week, ASU would likely have to travel to play the loser of the SEC or Big Ten title game on their campus in the first round. Notre Dame could also host the first-round matchup.

The first round of the playoffs will be played on Dec. 21, with one game starting the previous Friday night at 6 p.m. MST. The Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 is the first quarterfinal before the rest are played on Jan. 1. Fans can follow along on the Arizona Sports app or online for more updates on ASU's CFP outlook.

ASU's journey in the playoffs is full of uncertainties and possibilities. Their dominant performance in the Big 12 Championship gives them a good chance, but they still have a lot to wait and see. The upcoming selection show will determine their fate and set the stage for an exciting playoff run.