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Arizona State’s upset of No. 16 Utah may not have landed the Sun Devils a spot in the national rankings, but it did boost them four spots to fifth in the Big 12 power poll voted on by print reporters who regularly cover the schools. It was the biggest jump in the poll this week by any school.
The race at the top continues to tighten as only two points separate Iowa State and BYU.
The Cyclones are No. 1 for the third straight week after receiving nine of a possible 16 first-place votes (249 points). BYU was second with seven first-place votes and 247 points.
Utah, which occupied the top spot for most of the season, continued to slide after a second straight loss. The Utes dropped from sixth to 10th in this week’s rankings.
The Sun Devils (5-1, 2-1) face a formidable challenge this week in Cincinnati (4-2, 2-1), which like ASU, has exceeded expectations this season.
ASU continued preparations for that game by starting Tuesday’s practice an hour earlier than the usual 9 a.m. to prep for the Saturday start time of 9 a.m. Arizona time, noon in Cincinnati.
Coach Kenny Dillingham’s team is starting practice even earlier on Wednesday and will leave on Thursday rather than departing on the usual Friday, for the game.
Both ASU and Cincinnati are coming off 3-9 seasons and are led by a second-year head coach. Both reloaded through the transfer portal and each has been handed its lone conference loss this season by Texas Tech.
1. Iowa State
Previous ranking: 1
Points: 249 (nine first-place votes)
Record: 6-0 (3-0 Big 12)
Last week: beat West Virginia, 28-16
This week: vs. UCF
Comment: Sophomore cornerback Jontez Williams has intercepted a pass in three consecutive games — the longest streak for a Cyclone since DeAndre Jackson accomplished the feat in 2005. Wide receiver Jayden Higgins saw his program-record string of consecutive games…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/upset-utah-boosts-arizona-state-223659902.html
Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
Publish date : 2024-10-15 22:36:59
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