PHOENIX -- Prior to Arizona State football kicking off its season on Sept. 5, our Blaze Sports football writers have compiled their record predictions, team offensive player of the year, team defensive player of the year and a bold take. 

Wyatt Baumeyer 

Record: 6-6

ASU enters 2026 bolstering ESPN’s toughest Big 12 schedule, with perhaps the biggest test of the season coming in Week 2 against No. 8 Texas A&M. The Sun Devils also face all three of their preseason-ranked opponents on the road in 2025: A&M, No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 14 BYU. Opportunity does arise with teams like Morgan State, Colorado and Hawaii on the home schedule, but fans should temper their expectations, especially with an unproven offense and quarterback.

OPOY: Kyson Brown 

After developing under standout backs Cam Skattebo and Raleek Brown, Kyson Brown is ready for the spotlight. He understands the veteran role and the pressure that comes with expectations. Though Kyson Brown missed a majority of 2025 due to injury, he made an impact on the 2024 Big 12 champion team, rushing for 351 yards and two touchdowns  – including 100 yards rushing against Arizona. 

DPOY: C.J. Fite 

A member of the Pat Tillman Leadership Council, Fite enters his senior year in Tempe as a veteran whom younger players can rely on as a mentor. Fite also brings immense presence up the middle, posting the 15th-best run defense grade among interior players with at least 250 run defense snaps. Yet Fite’s greatest ability is availability, having played in all 27 of ASU’s games over the last two seasons. 

BOLD TAKE: Mikey Keene takes over at quarterback at some point … not due to injury

It took head coach Kenny Dillingham up until the final week of fall camp to name junior Cutter Boley as the starting quarterback. Throughout camp, Boley was inconsistent at best, though none of the other names stood out either. Despite not winning the open quarterback competition, sixth-year Mikey Keene has the third-most starts (35) among FBS signal callers entering 2026. If Boley does struggle, expect the veteran Keene to take over. 

Angus Trangmoe

Record: 9-3

In a year where the Big 12 might not have the same depth as previous years, ASU has the tools to contend for the conference, especially on the defensive side of the football. While there are some tough road games on the docket, the Sun Devils should be able to run the table and go 6-0 at home this season. The performance of Cutter Boley and the ASU offense will be the deciding factor on whether this team makes a legitimate run for the Big 12 title.

OPOY: The pride of Great Falls, Montana, Reed Harris

With Omarion Miller’s move to Tempe making waves on the national scale, Harris is somewhat flying under the radar in Hines Ward’s wide receiver room. However, Harris’s 6-foot-5 frame makes him a tough matchup for any secondary, and fall practices have only highlighted the strong chemistry between Boley and Harris. Under the coaching of Ward, expect Harris and Miller to be one of the best wideout duos in the Big 12 this year.

DPOY: Ashton Stamps

It’s going to be tough to fill the gap of Keith Abney II’s departure to the NFL, but Stamps has the talent to pick up right where Abney left off. Stamps, who transferred from LSU in the offseason, will likely get most of his reps as the CB1 for the Sun Devils, and I expect him to find plenty of success against Big 12 wideouts after three years in the SEC. Along with Stamps, look out for Owen Long to be all over the place for Brian Ward’s defense.

BOLD TAKE: David Avit will play a major role in the ASU offense this year out of the backfield

Avit rushed for almost 700 yards and eight touchdowns in an injury-shortened 2025 at Villanova, a team that ended up going all the way to the FCS national semifinals last season. Kyson Brown will undoubtedly be the primary option at running back, but watch out for Avit to get more and more touches as the season progresses.

Wesley Stombaugh 

Record: 9-3

This team should be good, not great. The Sun Devils don’t have many good opportunities for upsets, with all of their games against currently ranked opponents coming on the road. I do expect ASU to take care of business at Mountain America Stadium and go undefeated at home. I also have the Sun Devils getting revenge on the road against Arizona after a disappointing home loss to the Wildcats a year ago.

OPOY: Omarion Miller

Miller, the star transfer wide receiver from Colorado, has already had a good connection with recently named starting quarterback Cutter Boley in practice. The wideout was one of the top-ranked transfers at his position this offseason, and head coach Kenny Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo will likely look to utilize him often. Miller was a silver lining in what was a very disappointing 2025 campaign for Colorado, and I expect him to take another leap with the change of scenery.

DPOY: C.J. Fite

Fite will be a force to be reckoned with on the ASU defensive line this season. Entering his senior year, the defensive lineman has been with the Sun Devils for his entire career and is poised to be a leader on this defense. Fite is a member of the Pat Tillman Leadership Council and a consistent recipient of Dillingham’s praise for the team’s leadership. Fite posted a sack and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2025.

BOLD TAKE: Kyson Brown becomes a premier rusher

It’s Kyson Brown’s chance to be the No. 1 guy in his senior year, and he’s going to take advantage of it and be a top-5 running back in the Big 12 in 2026.

Jacob Doczy

Record: 7-5

ASU will be turning over its entire roster, and many questions remain. The Sun Devils will have to navigate a brutal road schedule, which includes games against two playoff teams from last year in Texas A&M and Texas Tech, as well as tough games against BYU and Arizona, and a trip across the pond to play Kansas. However, there are enough winnable games on the schedule, particularly at home, to keep ASU from losing too many games. I think the Sun Devils are in for another regression after the high of the 2024 Big 12 championship. 

OPOY: Omarion Miller

Miller was a standout receiver last year at Colorado, amassing 808 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during the season and earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He comes to the Sun Devils along with two other high-profile transfers in the receiver room, but I think Miller will play the biggest role in ASU’s offense this season.

DPOY: C.J. Fite

Fite will be the leader on the defensive line, bringing veteran experience and leadership. Defensive line coach Diron Reynolds called him the “anchor” of the team’s defense, and he has played the fourth-most snaps among returning linemen in the FBS over the last three seasons. Fite was named to the Pat Tillman Leadership Council, and I expect him to continue to channel that leadership on the defensive side of the ball in 2026.

BOLD TAKE: Omarion Miller will have a 1,000-yard receiving season

Miller broke out during his junior season at Colorado, and I think he will take another step forward in Dillingham’s system. Jordyn Tyson, the last Colorado receiver to come to the Sun Devils, ended up as a top 10 NFL Draft pick. I think Miller will replicate what Tyson did and emerge as one of the Big 12’s top receivers this year.  

Zach Dworaczyk

Record: 6-6

While I came out of the spring rather optimistic about this team's chances of shaking things up in the Big 12, the cold shoulder of fall has brought on a new wave of pessimism. After seeing the offensive struggles in practice, I cannot bring myself to think of this team that highly in a conference known for its playmaking fireworks. While I still have my stock in certain individual talent on both offense and defense, I believe the losses this offseason are too great for Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils to overcome. 

OPOY: Omarion Miller

Good lord, this is a basic pick, but I truly think the world of Omarion Miller. Should Arizona State find a way to feed Miller the ball consistently, I feel like he's the type of talent where the sky truly is the limit. Easily a first-round talent should health and production hold. 

DPOY: Owen Long

The defensive side of the ball is where I think the Sun Devils will truly hang their hat on in the 2026-27 season, with Colorado State transfer linebacker Owen Long leading the charge. In 2025, Long posted an impressive 71 defense grade and a 73.9 run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Long also led the nation with an impressive 151 total tackles during his time with the Rams. While Long is my DPOY, I also have stocks in LSU transfer defensive back Ashton Stamps to have a breakout season after playing limited snaps in 2025. 

BOLD TAKE: Road woes

The Sun Devils will struggle on the road and drop every road game, including rough outings in London and Orlando against subpar competition.

Anthony Saccuman

Record: 8-4

Defense wins championships, a tale as old as time and something I think ASU relies on in a big way this season. With the way the unit performed in camp, more than eight wins is feasible, but with more than a few question marks on the offensive side, growing pains are to be expected. The home schedule is a big advantage for the Sun Devils, and I believe they take advantage of some lackluster opponents heading to Tempe on the way to another bowl game.

OPOY: Omarion Miller

This might be the boring answer, but watching Cutter Boley’s top target put up big numbers in an offense that has produced star receivers year after year will be anything but. Miller looks the part of an NFL receiver, as his 6-foot-2 frame and 4.48 40-yard dash allow him to make plays all over the field. The Colorado transfer is, in my opinion, a lock to go over 1000 yards on the season and is a threat for double-digit touchdowns.

DPOY: Owen Long

Long is a fresh face in Tempe, but much like last season at Colorado State, I expect him to make his presence known quickly. The junior linebacker put up a staggering 151 tackles as a Ram a year ago en route to being named to the All-Mountain West team. ASU has lacked a true field general in years past, and I think one of the more underrated newcomers will make a noticeable impact as soon as he touches the field. 

BOLD TAKE: ASU takes down Texas Tech

A common theme in recent years, no matter the sport, is Sun Devil domination over the Red Raiders. ASU is always good for an upset or two year in and year out, and they’ve got a real shot to walk into Lubbock and take down a team that seemed to be more focused on off-the-field issues than actual football this off-season. After a few weeks to gel together, October 17th will be the perfect opportunity to prove that ASU is for real.

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