Even though the season won't kick off until early September, I thought it would be fun to take a look around the conference for a quick preview of the other eleven teams -- in no particular order. We'll get more in depth during the week before the Cardinal plays each team, but for now we've got a quick overview of how the team looks at this point as seen through the eyes of a blogger who knows that team best. Enjoy.
Arizona State Sun Devils (Pac-12 South)
Head Coach: Dennis Erickson (25-24)
2010: (6-6, 4-5, 6th)
Lost to Stanford, 17-13
When you think back to the 2010 season, it's easy to fool yourself into believing that the Cardinal only struggled for those disappointing thirty minutes in the second half in Eugene. They crushed everyone else on the schedule, didn't they?
Not exactly. There was the last second field goal to snatch victory away from USC, but that was kind of understandable. It came as no surprise that Stanford was involved in a high-scoring shootout that came down to the final possession.
What happened in Tempe in mid-November, though, was stunning. At 8-1, the Mighty Card was rolling, and fans were spending much more time thinking about which BCS bowl they'd be attending than worrying about the middle-of-the-pack Sun Devils. In the other twelve games the Cardinal played last season, they never scored fewer than 31 points. Against Arizona State they scored barely half that amount as they struggled for an ugly 17-13 win.
The Sun Devils bounced back from that loss, finishing their season by crushing UCLA and eking out a double-overtime win over rival Arizona to take the Territorial Cup back to Tempe, but overall their season was a disappointment. They finished an even 6-6, but that mark easily could've been much better. They had an early three-game stretch during which they missed a late extra point and lost a heartbreaker on the road against #11 Wisconsin, 20-19; played Oregon tough at Eugene before squandering a ten-point lead and losing 42-31; then lost at home to Oregon State, 31-28. Later on they lost 34-33 to USC and followed that with the Stanford loss.
They easily could've won four of those games, which would've put their record at 10-2 overall and 7-2 in the Pac-10. But of course, that's not what happened.
This year the Sun Devils are everyone's pick to win the new Pac-12 South. They've gotten some help from the schedule makers, as they don't have to play Stanford, but possibly the biggest difference between this year's team and last is the presence of quarterback Brock Osweiler. The junior quarterback played during the last two games last season, and gave Sun Devil fans plenty to look forward to. He didn't start against UCLA, but he ended up with some eye-popping numbers nonetheless: 27 for 36, 380 yards, and four touchdowns. The next week he was the MVP against Arizona as he threw for 267 yards and another score.
This team, though, will probably be carried by its defense. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is undoubtedly the most talented defensive player in the country, and the Sun Devil media guide lists an entire raft of preseason awards and watch lists. Burfict is physically fearsome, but he hasn't yet shown that he has the emotional maturity that would allow people to view him as a truly elite player. Stanford fans will likely remember that he was called for two personal foul penalties on a single play during the Cardinal's game-winning touchdown drive last year, and he also made waves when he sprinted off the field for the clubhouse before the final play had been run. There were a few complimentary articles this spring reporting that Burfict was showing more maturity and taking a leadership role within the team, but all of that melted away when reports surfaced that he had punched a teammate in the locker room.
If Osweiler can continue what he started at the tail end of last season, and if Burfict can keep his head on his shoulders, the Sun Devils will clearly be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 South. But what do I know? William Boor from the Sun Devil blog House of Sparky will take it from here with a quick preview. Enjoy...
GoMightyCard:
What are fans excited about for this season?
House of Sparky:
There has been a lot of preseason hype for the Sun Devils. Fans are excited about the possibility of returning to a bowl game as ASU has not been to one in any of the past three seasons. There are a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball, so the talent should be there. This is the offense's second year under coordinator Noel Mazzone, so there is a comfort zone that was not there last year. Also, fans are excited about the new uniforms.
GMC:
What are the biggest concerns facing the team?
Sparky:
The biggest concerns are the kicking game, which cost the Sun Devils a few games last season and has struggled throughout practice. ASU will also be worried about the injuries which have hampered them throughout camp. Cornerback Omar Bolden, receiver T.J. Simpson, and linebacker Brandon Magee are all out for the season. I also feel that a few fans are weary because of how many close games this team lost last season. Fans are hoping that the team will be able to pull those games out this season, but sometimes hype is not enough as fans want to see the team actually win a close contest.
GMC:
What's the best-case scenario for the team?
Sparky:
The best case scenario for this team would be a Pac-12 South title. This team has talked about playing in the National Championship but with trips to Utah and Oregon as well as a potential rematch with the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game, it does not seem likely. A Rose Bowl would be nice, but that would also have the Sun Devils passing the Ducks.
GMC:
What's the worst-case scenario for the team?
Sparky:
Worst case scenario would be a failure to reach a bowl game for the fourth straight season. If the Sun Devils should somehow falter in the South and fail to qualify for a bowl game, it is likely that Erickson will be gone.
GMC:
Realistically, how do you expect the season to pan out?
Sparky:
Realistically, I expect this team to get about 8 or 9 wins. They have a few tough tests such as Missouri, USC, Oregon and Utah, but this team is talented and should be able to win the majority of their games. However, ASU has struggled with games they "should have won" in the past.
Previously previewed:
- Arizona Wildcats
- California Golden Bears
- Colorado Buffaloes
- Oregon Ducks
- Oregon State Beavers
- USC Trojans
- Utah Utes
- Washington Huskies
- Washington State Cougars
