From the home office in Eloy, Ariz.: The top 10 things to watch for when ASU wraps up football practice with the annual intrasquad spring game Saturday afternoon at Sun Devil Stadium.
Here we go.
10. And the winner is: Unlike last year, the team will be divided in a draft conducted by senior linebacker Mason Unck and senior safety Al Williams to make the game more fan-friendly and, hopefully, more competitive.
9. Where's the beef?: The offensive line shed some serious weight last summer, and that's not a reference to the loss of four starters. The linemen also trimmed down this past winter and should be more fleet-of-foot come fall.
8. Where's the beef II?: Senior linebacker Solomon Bates claims to have quickened his step during the off-season. It will take major improvements to keep up with youngsters like junior linebacker Josh Amobi.
7. The anti-Solo: Scout team speed demon Joey Smith, a redshirt freshman, will be moving up to the varsity squad this year. He will team up with Phoenix South Mountain High School teammate Jason Shivers, a sophomore, to form one of the fastest safety tandems in the Pac-10.
6. Welcome to the fold: This is the first chance to see five junior college transfers — tackle Tim Fa'aita, quarterback Andy Goodenough, safety Brett Hudson and defensive linemen Shane Jones and Ishmael Thrower — in game-like situations.
5. Deuce-Deuce: Redshirt freshman running back Hakim Hill (No. 22) is electric and probably would already have the starting tailback spot wrapped up if it weren't for some off-the-field transgressions in high school.
4. No dummies: Head coach Dirk Koetter said his team's tackling has improved this spring. But the defense will be trying to drag down slippery players like junior wide receiver Shaun McDonald and sophomore wide out Daryl Lightfoot, not tackling dummies.
3. The saga continues: Since spring 2000, six players have called the No. 1 quarterback spot their own. Redshirt freshman Chad Christensen is under the magnifying glass now.
2. T-Sizzle: Former offensive tackle Levi Jones gave junior defensive end Terrell Suggs the best battles of his career, and that was in practice. With Jones departed for the NFL, it's time for Suggs to dominate. Or do you think Fa'aita is going to stop him?
1. Does anyone care?: The health of the program may be best measured by the amount of fans who show up to scout seats. Last year's scrimmage drew about 4,000 spectators. With fan morale low, it's doubtful this year's spring game will draw half that number.
Matt Kee wants to hear your take on ASU athletics. Reach him at matthew.simpson@asu.edu.
