Arizona State vs. Iowa State Picks for the Big 12 Championship Game
The Big 12 Championship between Arizona State and Iowa State will go down in Jerry’s World — AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — between two 10-2 teams.
This game has higher stakes than other Power Four championships — it's a win-or-go-home scenario for a spot in the College Football Playoff and a chance at a National Championship.
We’ll give you the best Arizona State vs. Iowa State picks for Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game including a prediction for this matchup and CFB DFS player picks for PrizePicks.
PrizePicks is the easiest way to get real money action on the Big 12 Championship and all through the College Football Playoffs. Just pick more or less on at least two player projections and lock in your Lineup to win up to 1000x your money.
Big 12 Championship Game: Arizona State vs. Iowa State Picks
Here are the top picks and player predictions for Arizona State vs. Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game for CFB DFS on PrizePicks for Saturday, December 7. Click to read more analysis.
- When is the Big 12 Championship Game?
- Big 12 Championship Pick: Arizona State 21, Iowa State 17
- Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo 120.5 Rushing Yards – More
- Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt 202.5 Passing Yards – More
- Iowa State QB Rocco Becht 20 Pass Completions – More
#15 Arizona State vs. #16 Iowa State: How to Watch, When, Preview
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ABC
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Arizona State was not the team we thought would be here. They made one of the best turnarounds in the country, going from 3-9 last season to 10-2. This was one of the most exciting offenses to watch due to the athleticism at almost every position.
No one exemplifies that more than senior RB Cam Skattebo. He can hammer through the line of scrimmage, wear their opponent down, and break them off for a big play.
That will be difficult for Iowa State, which was 15th out of 16 in rushing yards allowed per game (182.4) in the Big 12. However, it balances out, because they were the best against the pass (171.7).
The problem is, Arizona State doesn’t need to beat you through the air. QB Sam Leavitt is a fine quarterback and with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions, he can get the job done, but the Sun Devils have won a lot of games with him throwing 25 or fewer passes. The Sun Devils will need to lean on the run here, especially with WR1 Jordan Tyson down for the year after an upper body injury last week that will end his season.
The determining factor of this game will be who wins the time of possession battle. They both dominate their use of the clock as Arizona State was 15th (32:21) and Iowa State was sixth (33:29) in average time of possession. Even with the Cyclones having the advantage, the Sun Devils could be one that wins it if that run game keeps moving the chains.
This could be a low-scoring battle, with Arizona State pulling off the win.
Big 12 Championship Prediction: Arizona State 21, Iowa State 17
🏆 Find picks and predictions for every 2024 Conference Championship game here
Arizona State vs. Iowa State Picks
Here are the best Arizona State vs. Iowa State picks for the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday, December 7, for CFB DFS on PrizePicks.
Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo 120.5 Rushing Yards – More
Arizona State will ride on the back of Skattebo, who finished the season eighth in the nation in rushing yards (1,398) and ninth in rushing touchdowns (17) on 5.7 yards per carry.
We mentioned Iowa State was the worst run defense in the Big 12 play; in terms of the FBS, it isn’t good as they are 96th (177.1 yards per game). The Cyclones have given up 69 runs of over 10 yards, per CFB stats — 108th in the country
Skattebo has been on a tear, with 145 rushing yards or more in three of the last four games. He will be the key to sending the Sun Devils to College Football Playoff.
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Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt 202.5 Passing Yards – More
Leavitt has a tough matchup against Iowa State. The Cyclones have been a great pass defense, but with how well Arizona State manages its offense, he can still make an impact.
Letting Skattebo run will force Iowa State to keep defenders in the box to try and contain him. This will give Leavitt plenty of one-on-one matchups down the field. His 2,444 yards are 65th in the nation, but his 21 touchdowns are the 12th-most. Leavitt doesn’t throw it much, but he finds his spots, and that’s why he has passing touchdowns in 11 of 12 games.
Leavitt has gone more than this passing number in four of his last five games, including 247 yards against a similarly-ranked BYU pass defense that’s 13th in Expected Points Added.
Iowa State QB Rocco Becht 20 Pass Completions – More
Arizona State is strong in many spots on defense. It is 31st in the nation in total yards allowed (330.6 per game) and 27th in rushing yards allowed (116.8). However, it is vulnerable against the pass, as it is 69th in passing yards allowed per game (219.8).
Becht won’t break open a game, but he is a dependable quarterback for the Cyclones. In the final three must-win games, he averaged 209 passing yards with three touchdowns.
Where to play him is the completion projection. With how slowly each team plays, neither will likely hold a large lead, which means the pass will always be in play. Becht will throw the ball in a tight game and has attempted over 30 passes in six straight, with 20 or more completions in five.
The Suns Devils allow 20 completions per game, which is 96th in the nation. If the Cyclones keep it close, Becht could surpass that number.
Lock In for the Big 12 Championship Game
On Saturday afternoon, we’ll see Iowa State and Arizona State battle it out for a College Football Playoff spot in the Big 12 Championship. It’s a lose-and-go-home, so you’ll see each team putting it all on the field for this game.
Use these player picks to help you build your CFB DFS Lineups on PrizePicks. You can win real money on PrizePicks throughout the conference championships and College Football Playoffs by choosing more or less on player projections. By choosing demon projections, you can now win up to 1000x your money.
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