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The Arizona State Sun Devils are now facing a pivotal stretch in their season without their starting quarterback, as injury sidelined Sam Leavitt ahead of a crucial rematch against the Iowa State Cyclones. What previously looked like a strong path back to the Big 12 Championship Game may now be far more precarious.
Leavitt’s Injury and the Immediate Impact
Leavitt left last weekend’s loss at home to the Houston Cougars after re-tweaking a lingering foot injury, and head coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed that his quarterback will not play in the upcoming game against Iowa State. Reports indicate the foot problem had hampered Leavitt all season, and the decision to hold him out reflects a deeper concern about durability and readiness.
In Leavitt’s absence, senior signal-caller Jeff Sims is set to start. Sims has started earlier this season and previously, but his results have been mixed—raising immediate questions about Arizona State’s offensive ceiling without its preferred starter.
Why This Changes the Title Scenario
Arizona State began the season with hopes of repeating as Big 12 champions, and at 5-3 (3-2 in conference play) it still controls its destiny—on paper. The rematch against Iowa State, which ASU defeated convincingly in last year’s title game, was viewed as a statement opportunity. Now, without Leavitt at the helm, the Sun Devils must adjust:
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Offensive continuity: Leavitt’s command of the offense, chemistry with receivers, and mobility added a dimension that Sims may not yet fully replicate.
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Confidence & momentum: Losing the starting quarterback ahead of a high-stakes game can shift the team’s mindset—and boost the opponent’s belief.
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Play-calling and protection: Sims will need extra protection and simpler reads if the offensive staff rightly limits his risk exposure—a challenge against a disciplined Cyclones defense.
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Playoff path narrowing: Should Arizona State miss this game, the need to win out increases significantly, placing pressure on remaining games and relying on help elsewhere in the standings.
What Arizona State Must Do To Stay Alive
Coach Dillingham has emphasized that this team is not giving up, but actions will matter more than words. For the Sun Devils to stay in the hunt, they must:
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Clean up early-down performance and avoid third-and-long situations, especially with a less familiar quarterback set.
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Lean on their running game and defense to provide stability while the offense adapts.
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Maintain home-undefeated mindset for remaining games and avoid falling into reactive mode.
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Ensure backup QB is prepared with game-plan adjustments and confidence-building reps in practice.
What to Watch in the Next Game
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How Sims handles pressure and whether the coaching staff limits his role initially.
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Whether Arizona State’s offensive rhythm skews conservative (more runs, short passes) to protect the game plan.
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Iowa State’s game plan: knowing Leavitt is out, the Cyclones may attack deep or pressure more aggressively to force errors.
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The psychological tone of Arizona State’s preparation—how the team responds to an unexpected challenge will say a lot about the program’s current culture.
Final Word
The loss of Sam Leavitt is more than an injury update—it could mark a turning point in Arizona State’s season narrative. What once looked like a clear lane to the Big 12 title game now demands resilience, adaptation and leadership from other players. In college football, depth and culture often separate contenders from pretenders—and now the Sun Devils will be tested on both fronts.
