Poof.

Just like that, Arizona State ’s chances of making a return trip to the Big 12 title game with a shot at making the College Football Playoff again likely disappeared. It’s not entirely out of the question, but the 24-16 loss to Houston on Oct. 25 almost knocks out the Sun Devils (5-3, 4-2) of the race with two undefeated teams ahead of them.

Now, it’s a waiting game.

The postgame media availability room, tucked away in the bowels of Mountain America Stadium, was a far cry from the jovial atmosphere just a week ago following the upset win over No. 7 Texas Tech. It was eerily silent – just like the whole stadium was when quarterback Sam Leavitt went down with an injury midway through the first quarter.

Leavitt returned until the final two drives, but it wasn’t enough. The offen

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