Two teams predicted to be at different ends of the Big 12 standings before the season started will face each other Saturday night at Stillwater, Okla., with Arizona State visiting Oklahoma State.
Arizona State (5-2, 2-2) was picked to finish last in its first season in the Big 12 in the preseason media poll. Instead, Oklahoma State (3-5, 0-5) sits in last place after it was picked to finish third behind Utah and Kansas State.
“They have good players, and they’re in a very marketable geographical location in the country for portals, which they’ve hit that market hard,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy reasoned about Arizona State’s success. “They’ve had success in that area, and they’ve done a good job.”
One of the transfers, in his second season with the Sun Devils, is former Sacramento State running back Cam Skattebo, who is third in the Big 12 in rushing with 848 yards on 150 carries with 10 touchdowns.
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State’s touted running back, is ninth at 568 yards on 135 carries with eight touchdowns.
Skattebo also ranks seventh nationally in missed tackles forced with 49, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He’s their energy,” Gundy said. “If you want to slow them down, you better tackle him.”
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said quarterback Sam Leavitt should return from an injury to his ribs suffered in the Sun Devils’ win over then-No. 16 Utah on Oct. 11.
He missed the Sun Devils’ most recent game, a 24-14 loss at Cincinnati, on Oct. 19.
Leavitt, a transfer from Michigan State, has completed 90 of 152 passes for 1,166 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
“He’s cleared to play,” Dillingham said. “He wants to play. He’s excited about playing. He’s been putting in a lot of work to play, so we’ll see how that transpires.”
Gordon, a preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year selection, rejected rumors Monday that he will shut down the rest of his junior season to concentrate on the NFL draft.
“My momma always taught me that you finish what you start,” Gordon said. “Who would I be to give up on my team because our season is not going how we want it to go?”
