Rough welcome: ASU picked to finish last in expanded Big 12

Arizona State starts in its new conference with low expectations.

The Sun Devils were picked to finish last in the newly expanded 16-team Big 12 conference by panel of media members in a poll released Tuesday.

Fellow Pac-12 transfer Utah was picked to win the conference, and Arizona was picked to finish fifth and received three first-place votes.

No ASU players were picked for the Preseason All-Big 12 team either. Five players from Arizona, coming off its best season in decades, were named to the team: receiver Tetairoa McMillan, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, kicker Tyler Loop, linebacker Jacob Manu and defensive back Tacario Davis.

The picks for top players in the conference were Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II for Offensive Player of the Year, Colorado defensive back Travis Hunter for Defensive Player of the Year and Central Florida quarterback KJ Jefferson for Newcomer of the Year.