MOMENTUM: Kenny Dillingham and ASU's Elite Class of '26 Already Outpacing Playoff Team

Arizona State Sun Devils aim to surpass their historic 2024 College Football Playoff run, with Coach Kenny Dillingham boldly claiming the 2026 squad is ahead of schedule. Enhanced competition at practice, high-profile nonconference matchups against Texas A&M and Texas Tech, and a grueling Big 12 schedule set the stage for a season where “iron sharpens iron.” Will skeptics continue to underestimate this team, or is a breakthrough looming in Tempe? Parker Porrill and Philip Mulford spotlight ASU’s rapidly expanding brand—now featured on EA Sports College Football covers two years running—and the surge of NIL contributions and facilities upgrades reshaping Sun Devils football. Key topics include Dillingham’s marathon metaphor about closing the gap with powerhouse programs, inventive recruiting strategies like golden ticket offers, and how Phoenix’s booming market could tip the scales. Can the new-look Sun Devils outpace their rivals and ignite a new era in college football? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.