Amanda: Paul, the Red Raiders are the team to beat in the Big 12, and the transfer portal is a complete madhouse. What does that mean for our Sun Devils?
Paul: It means the road to the conference title runs through Lubbock, but we've got the horses to make some noise. Let's break it all down.
Amanda: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Sun Devil Nation! I'm Amanda, and as always, I'm joined by the sharpest mind in college football, Paul. We're coming at you on this Monday, August 24th, with an around-the-league episode.
Paul: That's right, Amanda. We're looking at the entire Big 12 landscape, what our rivals are up to, and how it all shapes Arizona State's path to the College Football Playoff.
Amanda: Here's what we've got coming up. First, we're diving into the biggest headlines across the conference, including that wild transfer portal scramble for quarterbacks. Then, we're stacking our Sun Devils against the contenders, and finally, we're predicting what these outside results mean for our season.
Amanda: Alright, let's jump into segment one. Paul, the college football world is buzzing with that headline about the mad scramble for transfer portal quarterbacks. What's the latest?
Paul: It's pure chaos out there, Amanda. The article talks about quarterbacks visiting schools and literally having their roster spot taken while they're on the visit. That's how cutthroat it is.
Amanda: Yikes. And that's gotta affect our rivals, right? I mean, Texas Tech was already favored, but they're dealing with a change at quarterback, aren't they?
Paul: Exactly. The Big 12 preview headline says even with the change at QB, the Red Raiders are the team to beat. That says a lot about their roster. But it also means they're vulnerable early.
Amanda: And we can't forget about Coach Prime and Colorado. They're always good for a quote, and media days didn't disappoint.
Paul: Deion Sanders and Joey McGuire had some classic quips. It's all part of the theater, but Colorado is a team that could surprise people. They've got talent coming in.
Amanda: Well, the transfer portal is a big theme, and we're also seeing a ranking of the best players in the portal. They had to remove Brendan Sorsby from the top spot. What's that about?
Paul: It's probably because he found a home or something changed. The portal is fluid, and rankings shift daily. It's a reminder that rosters are never truly set until the season starts.
Amanda: And speaking of the season, there's a ranking of all 138 FBS teams in tiers. Where do we stand, Paul?
Paul: We're not going to get into specifics because we haven't seen the full list, but you can bet we're in a top tier. Our roster is loaded, especially on the offensive line and at running back. The question mark is quarterback.
Amanda: Right, and that's been the talk of our show all week. We've predicted Cutter Boley gets the nod for the opener, and we're sticking with that.
Paul: Absolutely. He's got the arm and the poise. But Jake Fette is pushing him hard. It's a good problem to have.
Amanda: Alright, we're going to take a quick break, but when we come back, we're going to see how our Sun Devils stack up against these rivals. Stick with us.
Amanda: Welcome back. Let's get into segment two. Paul, we've talked about the headlines, but how do the Sun Devils really stack up against Texas Tech and the rest of the Big 12 contenders?
Paul: I think we're right there with them. Our offensive line is a wall, and our running back room is deep with Kyson Brown, Jason Brown Jr., and Grayson Rigdon. That's a three-headed monster.
Amanda: And let's not forget Cardae Mack. We said he'd have a breakout year on defense, and I'm sticking to that prediction. He's a game-wrecker.
Paul: He's a stud. But the key is quarterback play. If Cutter Boley can manage the game and hit those big plays to Omarion Miller and Jalen Moss, we're dangerous.
Amanda: So, what's our realistic ceiling? We've been saying nine or ten wins. Is that still the number?
Paul: I think so. Our schedule has some tough tests, but we've got the talent to win ten. We just need to stay healthy and get consistent QB play.
Amanda: Texas Tech is the favorite, but they have that QB change. Could we catch them early before they figure things out?
Paul: That's the hope. But they've got playmakers everywhere. It's going to be a battle. And don't sleep on Colorado either. Coach Prime is building something.
Amanda: And what about the rest of the conference? Who else should we be worried about?
Paul: There's always a dark horse. Maybe a team like Baylor or Oklahoma State. But honestly, I think it's a two-horse race between us and Texas Tech, with Colorado lurking.
Amanda: I like that confidence. Now, we've got the season opener against Morgan State coming up on September 6th. That's a chance to set the tone.
Paul: It's a must-win, and I expect a dominant performance. Our running game should wear them down, and the defense should feast.
Amanda: Let's talk about that defense for a second. We've got some new faces on the offensive line, but the defense looks solid. What do you expect from them this year?
Paul: I expect a top-25 unit. We've got playmakers at every level, and Coach is going to dial up pressure. If we can force turnovers, we'll win a lot of games.
Amanda: Alright, Paul, we're going to take another quick break. When we come back, we'll talk about what these outside results mean for our path. Don't go anywhere.
Amanda: Welcome back to the final segment. Let's talk about what these outside results mean for our Sun Devils' path to the College Football Playoff.
Paul: The transfer portal chaos means that some teams are going to be better than expected, and some are going to struggle. We need to take care of business and let the chips fall where they may.
Amanda: And with the Big 12 being so competitive, every game matters. A loss to a team like Texas Tech could be the difference between making the playoff and staying home.
Paul: Exactly. But we control our own destiny. If we win the conference, we're in. Period.
Amanda: What about the freshmen? There's a list of 51 freshmen poised to make an impact. Do we have any on that list?
Paul: I'm sure we do. We've got some talented young guys who could contribute right away, especially at receiver and in the secondary. Keep an eye on them.
Amanda: And we can't ignore the schedule superlatives. Which teams have the toughest road? That could shake up the standings.
Paul: It's always about who you play and when you play them. Teams with tough schedules might drop games they shouldn't, and that opens the door for us.
Amanda: So, bottom line: if we take care of business, we're in the playoff conversation. But we can't afford any slip-ups.
Paul: No doubt. We've got the talent, the coaching, and the schedule to make a run. It's all about execution.
Amanda: Alright, Paul, it's time to wrap it up. Give us your final take on the season ahead.
Paul: I'm feeling good. I've said it before, I'll say it again: we're winning at least nine games, and we're going to be in the mix for the Big 12 title.
Amanda: There you have it, Sun Devil Nation. We've broken down the rivals, stacked up the roster, and mapped out the path. Now it's time to get ready for Morgan State.
Paul: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with your fellow Sun Devils. We appreciate every one of you.
Amanda: Until next time, this is Amanda and Paul saying go Sun Devils!