With another year of experience under its belt, ASU football is optimistic about the offensive line's ability to run block and protect redshirt junior quarterback Manny Wilkins.
However, preseason optimism largely failed to carry over into the Sun Devils' season opener against New Mexico State. The Aggies sacked Wilkins seven times and he had to scramble away from pressure more than a few times.
Both offensive coordinator Billy Napier and offensive line coach Rob Sale attributed some of the protection issues and negative plays to being unprepared for some of the packages NMSU defense threw at them.
"A lot of it was technique," Sale said. "I will probably help them and put them in better situations, but once they bring double-edge pressure, it is five-on-five blocking and you have to win your one-on-one match-ups ... no different than what a wide receiver does."
This week, Sale said they have been mixing up line combinations trying to find the right five guys that can help make the offense successful.
Senior center A.J. McCollum did not take reps on Monday and that mixed up the first and second-team offensive lines. Sophomore left tackle Cohl Cabral received snaps at center, but he said he has been rotating in and out from center since camp started and he expects to be back at left tackle Saturday.
McCollum was back to playing center Wednesday.
In terms of protecting Wilkins better this week, Cabral said it comes down to technique and communication.
"Just slowing down," Cabral said. "Making sure we are all getting on the right page and using our tells to figure out which way they're moving, or at the snap beforehand putting ourselves in the best spot."
This week, ASU will entertain an opportunistic San Diego State defense that ranked among the nation's leaders in several important categories.
The Aztecs finished tied for 18th with Texas A&M and the University of Central Florida among FBS Division I-A programs with 38 sacks. Getting pressure on the quarterback helped San Diego State finish first in interceptions with 29, and tie for 11th with 59 passes defended.
SDSU head coach Rocky Long has run a 3-3-5 scheme for the better part of two decades. The unique defense has allowed the Aztecs to make up for a lack of size at the defensive back and middle linebacker positions.
Often, the scheme will make the quarterback read the defense as a three-man front pre-snap, but the play will turn into a blitz when two or three defenders collapse to the line.
"They've got guys running sideways and they try and confuse you," Sale said. "If you look at the last two years numbers-wise, they're very good at limiting points and stopping the run. We've got to eliminate the negative plays, but that is all things you can correct."
Napier said he believes the Aztecs' defense is similar to other schemes ASU's offense has faced.
Without divulging much of his game plan, the first-year coordinator said there is one main difference between what San Diego State does compared to other teams.
"When the ball is snapped, their structure is not much different than most teams you play. It is just the presentation," Napier said.
"They've got a great (coaching) staff. They have great competitive spirit. They play hard. I've got a lot of respect for their program. More than anything, it is going to be about how we prepare and execute what we are doing."
Nobody will know until kickoff what ASU will do to combat Long's uncommon defensive strategy, but Wilkins did mention getting the ball out quicker.
"(Getting the ball out quicker is) very important," Wilkins said. "They (the Aztecs) do a lot of different things. They're a very good football team, so it is all about finding what we see on film and executing."
Sale and his players were clearly not happy about their performance last week, but McCollum said all they can do is improve.
"I know a lot of the coaches I've been coached by say the gap between week one and week two is when teams get better," McCollum said. "That is when they show the most improvement, so we're hoping to make that big jump."
Reach the reporter at jpjacqu1@asu.edu or follow @joejacquezaz on Twitter.
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