Arizona State Sees Slight Dip in National Perception Following Loss

The Sun Devils remain a high-level power four team, but do not sit in the top 25 according to many.

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jeff Sims (2) celebrates with wide receiver Derek Eusebio (83) after running for a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Much debate has been stirred in recent days following the Arizona State football program dropping their regular-season finale to rival Arizona by a score of 23-7 on Friday night.

This stems around the ultimate results the program reached in the 2025 campaign relative to expectations - some believe this year was a major failure, while others have reconciled the eight victories in the face of many obstacles as an ultimate success that will be built on.

Regardless, the loss to Arizona has put a damper regarding how this season's team is viewed in specific - as evidenced by the team dropping by multiple spots in power rankings according to many sources on the outside.

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates with head coach Kenny Dillingham after win against TCU Horned Frogs at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

CBS Sports: #32

Arizona State dropped four spots from a week ago - which was also four spots lower than the number 20 ranking the team received from the CFP selection committee.

The fact that the Sun Devils profiled as a top-25 level team and were contending for the Big 12 title in the final week of the regular season despite numerous season-altering injuries and a coaching change that happened in the middle of the season is impressive in its own right.

Quarterback Jeff Sims, safety Adrian "Boogie" Wilson, and running back Raleek Brown are just three of many players that stepped up above the occasion while beginning the season as backups.

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils safety Adrian Wilson (6) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

ESPN: Unranked

Arizona State remained outside of the top 25 once again, as they were behind several Group of Five teams, as well as SMU heading into the final week of the season.

While it's understandable that they are no longer seen as a top-25 team after a hapless offensive showing, it's always been difficult to justify placing a mid-major team over the Sun Devils - who own one of the best wins in the regular season in the 26-22 triumph over Texas Tech on October 18.

Yes, there were several positions on the field that experienced turnover. Yes, the team didn't perform as well as expected in certain situations. This doesn't erase the overall talent on the roster, the string of impressive victories that Dillingham strung together, or the fact that the team was on the doorstep of finishing with double-digit victories for a second consecutive campaign.

The bowl game future of the Arizona State program is up in the air until Sunday, in which they are expected to be selected to either participate in the Sun Bowl or the LA Bowl following the CFP selection show.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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