ASU Football 2025: Defense Roars While Offense Looks for Answers

Get ready, Sun Devil Nation, because if spring practices are any indication, Arizona State is gearing up for a defense-first campaign in 2025—and it might just be enough to keep them in the Big 12 title mix. But let’s be real: unless the offense wakes up and stops gifting the ball like it's holiday season, repeating last year’s 11-win magic could be a grind.

DEFENSE: BUILT TO DOMINATE

The defensive line? Nasty. Relentless. Downright feral. Coach Kenny Dillingham couldn’t stop gushing about how "super, super competitive" this unit has been, and the numbers back it up. Clayton Smith, Prince Dorbah, and Justin Wodtly are living in the backfield, and C.J. Fite is playing like he owns it.

The pass rush has been relentless, and the run defense has slammed the door shut on more than a few would-be highlights. Oh, and the young DBs? Rodney Bimage, Plas Johnson, and Keith Abney have been flying around like vets. If this group stays healthy, ASU might have one of the nastiest defenses in the conference.

OFFENSE: SAME OLD HEADACHES

Now for the offense—deep breath. Sure, there are sparks. Tight ends Khamari Anderson and A.J. Ia have been playmakers. The running back room is deep. And Sam Leavitt shows flashes of brilliance… right before tossing one into a linebacker’s hands.

Turnovers were the Achilles heel in 2024, and so far in spring 2025, that script hasn’t changed. The offensive line has been bullied by the D-line (though they’re improving), and inconsistency continues to plague Leavitt and company. Practice after practice, it’s a cycle of touchdowns one moment and self-inflicted wounds the next.

Dillingham's frustration is thinly veiled: "We have better talent than last year, but we have a long way to go." Translation? There’s a Ferrari in the garage… but someone needs to find the keys.

2026 PREDICTION: DEFENSE CARRIES, OFFENSE DECIDES THE CEILING

This team is built to win gritty. The defense will keep them in every game, and they’ll probably grind out 8 or 9 wins on defensive effort alone. But if the offense figures it out—cuts down on the turnovers, gets the line solidified, and lets Leavitt just play instead of pressing—ASU could absolutely defend their Big 12 crown.

But as of spring 2025? It’s a tale of two sides. One’s a war machine. The other’s still tripping over its own shoelaces.

So buckle up, Sun Devil fans. If the offense levels up, 10 wins and another title run aren’t just possible—they’re likely. But if they don’t? Expect a scrappy season where the defense drags this team across the finish line week after week.