What happens when the stakes are at their highest and two underdog squads refuse to back down on Big 12’s Showdown? Enter Kenny Dillingham, the mastermind behind Arizona State’s resurgence, squaring off against Matt Campbell’s battle-tested Iowa State Cyclones. With Playoff dreams hanging by a thread, a bold prediction from a CBS Sports insider is turning heads: a ‘secret weapon’ that might just tilt the scales in favor of the Sun Devils. Intrigued? You should be.

On December 7th, former All-American tight end-turned-analyst dropped the mic on the College Football Power Hour podcast, pointing to one name as the key to the Big 12 crown: Cam Skattebo. “Arizona State has the best player on the field,” Breneman declared confidently. “Kenny Dillingham will find 40 to 45 ways to get Cam Skattebo the ba-l and let him take ASU from 3-9 to 11-2 Big 12 champions.” Bold? Yes, only if you are a casual. Cam Skattebo’s stats back it up—nearly 1,400 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. The man’s running like his life depends on it. This guy doesn’t just play football; he owns it.

Breneman didn’t stop there. He also heaped praise on ASU’s freshman phenom under center—” I really like Sam Levitt in this quarterback matchup against Rocco batch.” “He’s on a different level…their five game win streak. He’s had 14 touchdowns, one interception. I also think Sam Levitt and his legs will be a factor in this game, being able to extend the play, being able to get out of the pocket, pick up a couple first downs with his legs,” he added. Translation? Leavitt’s not only a signal-caller, he can run too. Leavitt’s got that clutch factor you can’t teach. You are either born with it or not. And against Iowa State’s sturdy defense, his mobility might just be the ace in Dillingham’s deck.

Iowa State’s defense may pride itself on discipline, but Breneman didn’t mince words: “If ASU can avoid turnovers, Iowa State’s defense won’t be able to stop them.” Simple yet deadly. In summary, the Sun Devils’ recipe for success? Protect the pigskin, feed Skattebo, and let Leavitt do his thing.

Will Kenny Dillingham’s offense win them the Big 12 championship?

Let’s talk about Kenny Dillingham—a man on a mission. The Arizona State alum took over a 3-9 program in November 2022, rolled up his sleeves, and turned it into a Big 12 powerhouse (10-2) in just 2 years. That’s not a rebuild; that’s diabolical. Dillingham’s offense isn’t just flashy; it’s balanced, dynamic, and lethal. Cam Skattebo? He’s a touchdown machine. Sam Leavitt? A dual-threat QB who can torch you in the air or break your ankles on the ground.

Iowa State’s defense knows it has to bring the heat—literally. Pressure Leavitt, force turnovers, and make Dillingham’s squad sweat. But the real ones know that playing against Kenny Dillingham’s ASU ain’t an easy feat. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said it before, “They’ve got a game-changer at running back in Skattebo, a freshman QB in Leavitt who’s exceeded all expectations, and a go-to guy in Jordyn Tyson at receiver. ASU is a team no one wants to face right now.” And boy, he ain’t wrong.

Look, enough of this glazing. This showdown has all the makings of a classic. Two scrappy, underrated squads fighting for a playoff spot under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium. The stakes are as high as an Iowa skyline, and the heat is as scorching as an Arizona afternoon. In a game where every yard matters, don’t blink—Kenny Dillingham might just have one more trick up his sleeve before locking in on that playoff spot.