If you’re an ASU fan and you want to believe the new-look Sun Devil offense can light up a scoreboard – Saturday night you’ll find out.

It’s not the epically disproportioned matchup the Charleston Southern Buccaneers of the FCS has with 70-plus point favorite Florida this weekend, but ASU’s season opener at Sun Devil Stadium against the Big Sky Conference’s Idaho State is not exactly a pick ’em either.

ISU has won six games the last three years. Last season’s 1-11 FCS Bengals squad yielded at least 29 points in every game. The Bengals snapped a 14-game losing streak that dated back to 2007 by winning their season finale against Sacramento State by three points.

The “edge” may be a misnomer in this particular instance, but here’s our breakdown anyway.

QUARTERBACK

This is the opportunity senior Danny Sullivan has waited for. The 6-foot-4 rifle-armed quarterback had his ups and down during camp, struggling against the Sun Devil defense during scrimmages.

Sullivan will likely get the chance to showcase his ability from the outset as ASU will work primarily from a spread, shot-gun formation — one they ran almost exclusively during camp.

ISU will feature junior quarterback Kyle Blum who played in seven games last season, starting in the final two. Blum, who backed up the struggling, 19-interception throwing Kyle Hill last season, threw three touchdowns and four picks in limited duty.

EDGE: ASU RUNNING BACKS

ASU Coach Dennis Erickson has iterated that multiple players will tote the rock – at least initially. Senior Dimitri Nance will likely get the majority of the carries, but others will be split between sophomore home-run threat Ryan Bass, freshman Cameron Marshall and senior Jarrell Woods.

Marshall, a north-south power back, was perhaps the most impressive runner for ASU during camp, and at 210 pounds is built like a much older player.

Marshall could provide short-yardage bursts and by the end of the season may be the ideal complement to Bass.

ISU returns its leading rusher from last season in senior Clint Knickrehm, who was named a captain for this season. He rushed for nearly 450 yards with eight touchdowns, starting in the team’s final six games.

EDGE: ASU RECIEVERS

ASU senior Chris McGaha looked sharp in the team’s mock game on Friday and appears to be healthy after suffering a toe injury that hampered him much of last year.

The Sun Devils wide receiver corps is likely the strength of the offense. Shifty slot receiver Kyle Williams, who doubles as a return man, could be the yards-after-the-catch threat. Likely the biggest improvement in camp was sophomore Gerell Robinson. Robinson at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds will be a match-up nightmare for ISU’s undersized defensive backs.

One of the standouts for the Bengals is senior wide receiver Jaron Taylor. The captain had 55 receptions for six touchdowns last year, catching passes from two different quarterbacks.

EDGE: ASU OFFENSIVE LINE/TIGHT ENDS

Is the Sun Devil offensive line-reformed? Are they tougher, stronger and can they hold up their end of the bargain? With short-term injuries to sophomore Zach Schlink, right tackle Tom Njunge and center Garth Gearhart, and going up against one of the worst defensive fronts in college football, this is not the time for evaluation.

ASU will get a chance to see how its depth holds out. If you’re a late Saturday riser you can look forward to some evening pancakes from senior left tackle Shawn Lauvao. Senior’s Jovon Williams and Stanley Malamala will combine with sophomore Dan Knapp at tight end, who will get the start. It will be interesting to see who takes the snaps at this position and what role each one will have in the offense.

The ISU unit is a relative unknown, but Bengal quarterbacks were sacked 34 times last season.

EDGE: ASU DEFENSIVE LINE

The depth of talent for ASU is some of the best in the country, even with sophomore James Brooks suspended the first three games of the season and sophomore beast Lawrence Guy possibly out with a biceps injury. Dexter Davis returns for his senior year to add to his 27.5 career sacks. Look for the Sun Devils to close in on a double-digit sack day, and if the ball carrier isn’t stopped in the backfield on a carry — be surprised.

The Bengals two sack-masters from last year return in 2009 coming off a season in which they combined for three and a half sacks. They both weigh less than 240 pounds. Enough said.

EDGE: ASU LINEBACKERS:

Seven deep for ASU. Senior Mike Nixon, Travis Goethel and Gerald Munns provide sound, steady and disciplined play. Sophomore Brandon Magee, a super-athletic ’backer is primed for a break-out year and will be unleashed in defensive coordinator Craig Bray’s new blitz emphasis.

Sophomore Shelly Lyons is out with injury. Freshman Vontaze Burfict, a jaw dropping player, can’t play until he’s cleared by the NCAA.

ISU returns its second-leading tackler, junior Phillip Arias. ISU was one of the worst defensive units in the FCS last season. Meeting the heavy head of Cameron Marshall will not be a joy.

EDGE: ASU SECONDARY

Four players at safety are all set to get snaps including athletic redshirt freshman Keelan Johnson. Junior Omar Bolden hopes to recover from a down sophomore season and senior Pierre Singfield has shown the ability to make plays on the ball during camp.

ISU returns one defensive back with an interception from last season.

One. Given the lack of talent in the ISU secondary, Sullivan had better hope he doesn’t change that number for the Bengals this year.

EDGE: ASU SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior Thomas Weber was kicking 55 yard field goals near the top of the goal posts during training camp. Don’t be surprised, if one of ASU drives should stall with time running out at the end of a half, for Weber to do the unthinkable. Weber has a chance to break all conceivable records this season. 60 yards and above is well within his range. Kyle Williams is a standout in the return game. Don’t look for many punts from ASU.

ISU’s kicker Jarret Huk made one of six field goals for the Bengals last season.