- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,150,101
- Reaction score
- 59
The Arizona State football and Arizona football programs are trending in different directions, ESPN reporter Adam Rittenberg wrote in his "College Football Future Power Rankings through 2027."
Rittenberg listed ASU at No. 27; five spots better than Arizona at No. 32. The paths those two programs took to get to their rankings, however, were significantly different.
Last year in these Future Power Rankings, Rittenberg ranked ASU much higher at No. 12. Conversely, he ranked UA much lower last year at No. 64.
The rankings are reflective of each Power Four team in the country's outlook for the next two seasons. Rittenberg listed how the teams are evaluated for these rankings:
With ASU, Rittenberg had plenty of positives to say. In the piece, he prasied Kenny Dillingham's "keen eye for quarterbacks."
ASU is expected to start Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley in 2026. He has thrown 16 interceptions in 15 career games, but Dillingham hopes he turns the corner.
Rittenberg was high on ASU's roster management in replenishing a group that lost All-Big 12 Second-Team QB Sam Leavitt, first-round NFL draft selections WR Jordyn Tyson and OT Max Iheanachor, standout running back Raleek Brown, tackle Josh Atkins and more.
The Sun Devils' 2026 overall recruiting class ranked 29th per 247Sports. While that may not turn heads from blue bloods, it is the first time ASU's overall recruiting class has ranked inside the top 30 since 2020.
He approves of the coaching staff, citing that "Dillingham, a candidate for several Power 4 jobs, remained at his alma mater with enhanced resources." He also cited the staff continuity in Dillingham's offensive (Marcus Arroyo) and defensive (Brian Ward) coordinators sticking around with some other assistants.
Star power was the category where Rittenberg had the least positives to say.
"ASU lost two first-round NFL draft picks and several other standouts, and needs a new group of stars to emerge," Rittenberg wrote.
He did write, however, that there are a handful of Sun Devils with star potential.
As for UA, returning senior quarterback Noah Fifita was a major reason for the rankings leap. Fifita totaled 32 touchdowns (29 passing) to six interceptions with 8.27 adjusted yards per pass in 2025.
"Coach Brent Brennan is direct about how Arizona lacks top-market resources to pay players, but the team's rebound in 2025 helped retain and attract talent," Rittenberg wrote about UA's roster management.
Arizona went 9-4 in 2025 after going 4-8 in 2024, which was Brennan's first season in Tucson.
Rittenberg also says it was wise for Brennan to retain his coordinators in Danny Gonzales (defensive) and Seth Doege (offensive).
Arizona lost defensive backs Treydan Stukes (second round), Genesis Smith (fourth round), Dalton Johnson (fifth round) and Michael Dansby (seventh round) to the NFL draft.
Rittenberg mentioned the Wildcats are retaining Third-Team All-Big 12 linebacker Taye Brown, though.
He added that Arizona "must figure out its rotation at the left tackle and guard spots." He also said that "The NFL departures in the secondary will sting, and Arizona loses production at wide receiver and running back."
Those factors are likely what kept them five spots behind ASU.
Both schools will face stiff competition from the Big 12 over the next two years. Three Big 12 teams (Texas Tech at No. 11, BYU at No. 15 and Utah at No. 25) are ranked inside the Top 25.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ESPN rankings have UA, ASU football on opposite trajectories
Continue reading...
Rittenberg listed ASU at No. 27; five spots better than Arizona at No. 32. The paths those two programs took to get to their rankings, however, were significantly different.
Last year in these Future Power Rankings, Rittenberg ranked ASU much higher at No. 12. Conversely, he ranked UA much lower last year at No. 64.
The rankings are reflective of each Power Four team in the country's outlook for the next two seasons. Rittenberg listed how the teams are evaluated for these rankings:
- Quarterback situation
- Offensive line/defensive line outlook
- Roster management
- Star power (All-Americans, national award contenders, all-conference contenders)
- Coaching staff
With ASU, Rittenberg had plenty of positives to say. In the piece, he prasied Kenny Dillingham's "keen eye for quarterbacks."
ASU is expected to start Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley in 2026. He has thrown 16 interceptions in 15 career games, but Dillingham hopes he turns the corner.
Rittenberg was high on ASU's roster management in replenishing a group that lost All-Big 12 Second-Team QB Sam Leavitt, first-round NFL draft selections WR Jordyn Tyson and OT Max Iheanachor, standout running back Raleek Brown, tackle Josh Atkins and more.
The Sun Devils' 2026 overall recruiting class ranked 29th per 247Sports. While that may not turn heads from blue bloods, it is the first time ASU's overall recruiting class has ranked inside the top 30 since 2020.
He approves of the coaching staff, citing that "Dillingham, a candidate for several Power 4 jobs, remained at his alma mater with enhanced resources." He also cited the staff continuity in Dillingham's offensive (Marcus Arroyo) and defensive (Brian Ward) coordinators sticking around with some other assistants.
Star power was the category where Rittenberg had the least positives to say.
"ASU lost two first-round NFL draft picks and several other standouts, and needs a new group of stars to emerge," Rittenberg wrote.
He did write, however, that there are a handful of Sun Devils with star potential.
As for UA, returning senior quarterback Noah Fifita was a major reason for the rankings leap. Fifita totaled 32 touchdowns (29 passing) to six interceptions with 8.27 adjusted yards per pass in 2025.
"Coach Brent Brennan is direct about how Arizona lacks top-market resources to pay players, but the team's rebound in 2025 helped retain and attract talent," Rittenberg wrote about UA's roster management.
Arizona went 9-4 in 2025 after going 4-8 in 2024, which was Brennan's first season in Tucson.
Rittenberg also says it was wise for Brennan to retain his coordinators in Danny Gonzales (defensive) and Seth Doege (offensive).
Arizona lost defensive backs Treydan Stukes (second round), Genesis Smith (fourth round), Dalton Johnson (fifth round) and Michael Dansby (seventh round) to the NFL draft.
Rittenberg mentioned the Wildcats are retaining Third-Team All-Big 12 linebacker Taye Brown, though.
He added that Arizona "must figure out its rotation at the left tackle and guard spots." He also said that "The NFL departures in the secondary will sting, and Arizona loses production at wide receiver and running back."
Those factors are likely what kept them five spots behind ASU.
Both schools will face stiff competition from the Big 12 over the next two years. Three Big 12 teams (Texas Tech at No. 11, BYU at No. 15 and Utah at No. 25) are ranked inside the Top 25.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ESPN rankings have UA, ASU football on opposite trajectories
Continue reading...
