Arizona State and Boise State win conference championships in final CFP declaration

Arizona State and Boise State win conference championships in final CFP declaration

Conference championship weekend is here. Follow top teams across the country battling for conference rights, a spot in the College Football Playoff and more.

No. 10 Boise State wins the Mountain West title

Boise State's Ashton Jeanty accepts award

No. 10 Boise State secured its second straight Mountain West Conference championship on Friday, defeating No. 20 UNLV 21-7 behind another Heisman-like performance from running back Ashton Jeanty.

Additionally, the Broncos’ win likely secures an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff. Boise State was ranked No. 4 before this week’s games.

The first half was all Boise State. With a 21-0 lead and 246 yards rushing before halftime, the Broncos got everything they wanted and more.

The Rebels were on the other end of the spectrum, gaining just 78 yards and a down conversion percentage of 1-for-6 in the third period.

Jeanty put the final exclamation point on the second half by rushing for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. He finished with 209 rushing yards and the touchdown.

UNLV held Boise State scoreless in the second half and orchestrated a nine-play, 81-yard touchdown drive in the fourth half, but the Rebels couldn’t maintain the momentum enough to mount a complete comeback.

Arizona State conquers the Big 12, knocking out Iowa State

Arizona State's Cam Skattebo celebrates after the touchdown

In its biggest matchup of the season, No. 15 Arizona State overcame the challenge to win the Big 12 crown over No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 – its third-largest margin of victory of the year. They secured the program’s first full conference title since 1996.

The Sun Devils kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout the game, scoring points on seven of 11 drives. The first half was all about running back Cam Skattebo, who bounced off defenders like a pinball for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Although the Cyclones kept themselves above water level with 10 consecutive points in the first quarter, Iowa State trailed 24-10 at halftime.

Arizona State blew the doors off their hinges in the third quarter, scoring three straight forced turnovers to start the second half. Iowa State got back on the field with a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth, but the outcome of the contest was already set in stone.

In their first year as a member of the Big 12, the Sun Devils rebounded from 3-9 records in 2022 and 2023 to likely clinch a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. In Tuesday’s rankings, the Sun Devils were the fifth-highest ranked conference champion (projected) and a No. 12 seed.

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