Amanda: The quarterback controversy is officially over, and the name on the depth chart might just be the biggest story in college football this week. We are live from the Beatline Podcast Network, and if you missed yesterday’s breakdown on Cutter Boley’s rise, you are not going to believe what else is happening around the Big 12 right now.
Paul: That’s right. The decision is made. But beyond Tempe, the league is shifting under our feet with transfer portal shuffles, new eligibility rules, and tier rankings that put some familiar names in unexpected spots. It’s a lot to unpack before kickoff.
Amanda: Here is your roadmap for today’s Around the League edition. First, we look at how division rivals are reacting to the same QB turmoil that hit us last week. Second, we break down where Arizona State stacks up against those contenders in the current tier rankings. And third, we talk about that crazy new five-for-five rule and what it means for rosters across the country.
Paul: We’re looking at the big picture today. How does a #1 seed in the Big 12 hold up when the rest of the conference is scrambling? Let’s dive into Segment One: Division Rivals.
Amanda: So, Paul, remember three days ago we were talking about the QB competition within our own walls? Well, outside the desert, other teams are facing similar head-scratching moments. The headlines are screaming about a 'mad two-week scramble' for transfer quarterbacks.
Paul: It’s chaotic. You have programs visiting players only to find out another school just stole their target off the visit. It creates a ripple effect. For Arizona State, we finally settled on Cutter Boley over Pauly Keene and freshman Jake Fette. But look at the Red Raiders—they’re still the team to beat despite their own changes.
Amanda: Right, and the brief mentions that even with QB changes, Texas Tech remains the standard. That’s interesting because usually, uncertainty at the most important position hurts early-season performance. Do you think ASU has an advantage simply because we finished our evaluation first?
Paul: I think preparation time is everything. While other coaches are still debating who starts in Week One, Cutter Boley is already running the first-team reps. He knows the protection schemes, he knows where the checks come from. That mental repetition matters more than raw talent in September.
Amanda: But let’s talk about the roster construction. We’ve got a huge group of skill players here. Chance Ables, Cory Butler Jr., Derek Eusebio, Jaren Hamilton, Reed Harris, Harry Hassmann, Plas Johnson, Omarion Miller, Jalen Moss, Uriah Neloms. That is a loaded wideout room.
Paul: It is. And don’t forget the tight ends. Khamari Anderson, James Giggey, AJ Ia, Kristian Ingman, Anthony Miller, Landen Miree. When you pair that volume of receivers with a settled quarterback, you force defenses into nickel and dime packages. That opens up the run game for David Avit, Kyson Brown, Jason Brown Jr., Marquis Gillis, Cardae Mack, and Grayson Rigdon.
Amanda: Speaking of the run game, remember our prediction from Tuesday? We said Cardae Mack would lead the team in rushing yards. With this many bodies in the backfield, do you think Mack still gets that nod, or does the rotation get too deep to track?
Paul: I’m sticking with Mack. He’s the bell cow. Even with Brown and Gillis providing depth, Mack’s usage rate tends to spike in the red zone. But the real issue isn't the backs; it's the offensive line chemistry. Luke Baklenko, Tana Alo-Tupuola, Desean Bryant Jr., Brent Helton, Wade Helton, Matai Jefferson, Plas Johnson—wait, Johnson is WR, my mistake there—Terrell Kim, Jalen Klemm, Rob Lapuaho, Siosaia Lapuaho, Jarmaine Mitchell, Manamo'ui Muti, Niniva Nicholson, Makua Pule.
Amanda: Wow, you went through the whole OL list! That’s a lot of faces. Yesterday we mentioned concerns about chemistry. If Boley is taking snaps, how quickly can that line gel against a team like Morgan State?
Paul: Morgan State is a FCS opponent, so the speed difference should help them settle in. But in the Big 12? Those double-digit seconds of hesitation in pass protection will get exposed. Boley needs to get the ball out quick until the linemen trust each other’s pulls and slides.
Amanda: Okay, so we’re set at QB, we’re stacked at skill, but the line needs time. Let’s move to Segment Two: How ASU Stacks Up Against Rivals.
Amanda: We are currently ranked number one in the Big 12. Zero wins, zero losses, but the highest tier ranking among all 138 FBS teams according to the latest ESPN data. Is this respect premature, Paul?
Paul: Respect is earned, but expectation is based on potential. The tier rankings place ASU at the top because of the ceiling. You have a veteran-style transfer in Boley, elite playmakers at every skill position, and a defense that we predicted would force a turnover in the first quarter against Morgan State.
Amanda: Let’s check in on that prediction. It’s been three episodes now. Monday we said 9+ wins. Tuesday we added the turnover prediction. Wednesday we refined the win total to between 9 and 11 games. Where do we stand now?
Paul: I’m holding firm on the 9-to-11 range. The Big 12 is tough. You have Oklahoma, Texas Tech, maybe Kansas creeping up. But if Boley plays above replacement level—which he did in camp—you win those close games. The difference maker is usually the fourth quarter execution.
Amanda: What about the sleeper alerts? The headlines mention 'sleeper college football players who could break out.' Who in our locker room fits that description? Is it someone like Jalen Moss making the jump to starter?
Paul: Moss has the size, but I’m looking at Khamari Anderson at TE. If the secondary focuses on stopping the ABLES and BUTLER runs, Anderson becomes the safety valve. He’s undersized but highly athletic. In a spread offense, mismatches against linebackers are gold.
Amanda: That’s a great tactical point. Using the tight end as a mismatch creator. It also takes pressure off the O-line because you’re releasing him fast. Does that help the pocket integrity?
Paul: Absolutely. Quick slants and flats allow the blockers just enough time to get their hands on the defensive ends. It’s situational football 101. You don’t ask your young line to hold blocks for eight seconds when you can throw it in three.
Amanda: So, the strategy is clear: protect the QB with speed, exploit mismatches with the TEs, and let the RBs work behind the developing chemistry. What about the freshmen? The brief highlights 51 freshmen poised to make an impact. Are any of ours in that mix?
Paul: Jake Fette was the freshman who lost the job, but his presence pushes Boley. Sometimes having a competitor who is ready to step in makes the starter sharper. As for other freshmen, most of our impact roles are filled by transfers or upperclassmen. This isn’t a 'freshman-friendly' year in terms of immediate starting jobs, except maybe special teams.
Amanda: Fair enough. It’s a transfer-heavy era. We talked about the cost of positions earlier this week. How much is a guy like Cutter Boley worth to this program? The headlines asked 'How much does each position cost?'
Paul: In today’s NIL landscape? A starting QB in a power conference is easily the most expensive asset. But the return on investment is massive. If Boley leads us to 10 wins and a bowl victory, the boost to recruiting for next year outweighs whatever scholarship money or portal fee he commanded.
Amanda: Investment pays off. Okay, let’s pivot. Segment Three: Outside Results and What They Mean for Our Path.
Amanda: There’s a new rule hitting the news: the five-for-five rule. Players who started college in 2022 are seeking a second chance. How does this affect the competitive landscape for us?
Paul: It adds veteran experience to opposing rosters. You might see older, more mature players returning to campus. That means harder practices, smarter opponents. For Arizona State, it means we can’t rely on youth movement alone. We need our transfers to lead by example.
Amanda: So, maturity becomes a key metric. Cutter Boley has been around the block. Pauly Keene has been around the block. Even Cameron Dyer is on the roster as a backup. We have experience in the building.
Paul: Exactly. And that experience helps navigate the distractions. The portal moves, the media noise, the rank changes. Teams that stay focused on their own house usually win the division. We are 1st in the Big 12 standings right now, but that’s just a placeholder until September 6th.
Amanda: The season opener against Morgan State is looming. We predicted a turnover in the first quarter. We predicted the running game exceeds 200 yards. We predicted 9-plus wins. Are we confident these predictions hold true against a lower-tier opponent?
Paul: Against Morgan State? I expect the running game to dominate early. If they stack the box, Boley throws short. If they drop back, the RBs cut back. It’s a classic tune-up game. The real test is Week Two. But yes, I’m standing by the predictions. ASU wins comfortably.
Amanda: Comfortable win. High scoring. Turnover in Q1. It sounds like a blueprint for success. Paul, one last thought on the tier rankings. With 138 teams ranked, where do you see ASU finishing in October?
Paul: Top 15 nationally. If we keep the turnovers low and the passing game efficient, we’re a dangerous team. The Big 12 schedule is brutal, but starting 4-0 gives you breathing room.
Amanda: Cutter Boley is the man, the skill positions are stacked, and the Big 12 awaits. We’ll be back tomorrow with a full breakdown of the Morgan State matchup. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network wherever you listen.
Paul: Stay ready. Stay focused. The road to the top starts in Tempe.
Amanda: Go Suns!