Imagining Arizona State as the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff seemed unfathomable this time last year. As the Pac-12 Conference dissolved, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham searched for answers to a 3-9 debut season that felt like it ended before Week One thanks to the university’s self-imposed bowl ban amid an NCAA investigation for recruiting violations

Making matters worse, the Sun Devils prepared for a transition to the Big 12 Conference while starting over at multiple positions on the field and within Dillingham’s coaching staff. So like any college football coach entering the 2024 season, Dillingham dove deep into the transfer portal.

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There, the 34-year-old coach recruited redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt from Michigan State to complement Cam Skattebo’s top-10 finish in the conference for rushing yards (783) and touchdowns (nine). On the defensive side of the ball, he was able to find linebacker Keyshaun Elliot from New Mexico State and defensive back Xavion Alford from USC.

However, the Sun Devils never bought the narrative that they should finish last among their peers. The outside perception inspired them to defy the odds, introducing the program to the Big 12 with the conference title and No. 4 seed in ASU’s first College Football Playoff appearance, the committee announced Sunday.

“We’re here to work, and we’ll be here regardless of who believes in us, each and every week, each and every day,” Alford said Saturday after the game. “We love being the underdog. We love when we see that in the media. We feel like we’re in our place. Coming in here, it’s a blessing to be on this team with these guys.”

Arizona State has grabbed the nation’s attention through Skattebo highlights, premature on-field celebrations and Dillingham’s passionate press conferences and consistent mantra of “activating the Valley.”

Skattebo’s record-breaking performance in the Big 12 championship Saturday afternoon felt as surreal as ASU’s best run since 2014, when the Sun Devils finished 10-3 with a Sun Bowl win under former coach Todd Graham. The Sacramento State transfer finished with 16 carries for 170 yards, three touchdowns and 38 receiving yards. More impressive, his week-to-week ability to bulldoze defenses without fear of contract solidified his Heisman Trophy campaign against the Cyclones defenders.

After the game, however, he wasn’t afraid to give credit where due.

“We wouldn’t be in this position if we didn’t have (the offensive live),” Skattebo said. “Those guys have put in the effort to get better every day. You see week in and week out, they get better and better and better.

“I don’t know how many yards I have this season, but they’re the reason for it. Even being in the Heisman talk is awesome, and that’s the reason. Those guys up front. And I just want to keep spreading love to those guys because they deserve it.”

The Sun Devils have remained resilient through their share of adversity this season. Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson’s indefinite collarbone injury in last weekend’s 49-7 win over the Arizona Wildcats was a gut punch. Fellow receiver Xavier Guillory and other teammates were more determined than ever to win against the Cyclones in Tyson’s absence.

“We are beyond teammates, we’re brothers,” Guillory said. “That’s one of my best friends. We go to church together and do Bible study together. I’ve seen so much of J.T. off the field, that’s my brother. We all felt that when he went down, we wanted to go out and win it for him.”

Playing in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, the Sun Devils earned a first-round bye in the CFP and await the winner of the No. 5 Texas and No. 12 Clemson matchup on Dec. 21.

And regardless of what happens going forward, Kenny Dillingham appreciates what his players have been able to do both on and off the field.

“I think these guys have bought into not just Arizona State, to the city, to the community, the weather. Dillingham said. “They’re over here talking about the weather the other day. It’s like they’ve bought into everything that the Valley, Tempe, Arizona State has to offer. That’s what’s special is these guys are members of the people. They love it there, and I think that’s special.”