With a statement win against USC last week, I think it’s safe to say that the Sun Devil football team isn’t interested in squandering their season again this year.
You could feel the uneasiness in the stadium when USC took a 22-21 lead in the third quarter after ASU had taken a 21-9 lead into half.
But the Sun Devils didn’t fold their tent, and they didn’t beat themselves. This is clearly a team that is a lot more guts than the bowl-less ASU teams that we have witnessed over the last three seasons.
In fact, with a 3-1 record right now, I think it would be highly improbable for ASU to miss bowl season for the fourth year in a row. The remaining schedule plays in the Sun Devils’ favor; so much so that I don’t think it should come as a surprise to anyone when ASU ends up in the Pac-12 title game on Dec. 2.
This weekend’s game against Oregon State (0-3) should be a cakewalk for the Sun Devils, who will still be riding the wave of momentum from their victory over the Trojans. Add in the fact that the Beavers lost to Sacramento State (an FCS team) in week one and were creamed 35-0 by Wisconsin (a team ASU could hang with) in week two, this game should be a gimmie.
Next up is a face off against the Utes (2-1) in Utah. Knowing that it feels like to taste a bitter defeat on the road, ASU will apply the lessons they learned from the Illinois loss in this game. USC also beat Utah 23-14 in week two, a good indication that the Sun Devils are significantly more skilled than the Utes.
By week seven’s test against the No. 9 Ducks (3-1) in Eugene, ASU should be sitting atop the Pac-12 South at 5-1. The Sun Devils’ trip to Oregon will be their biggest test of the season. However, they should be able to pull it off, if the defense plays at least halfway decent by slowing LaMichael James & Co.’s attack and the offense limits their turnovers.
Of course, as ASU fans will tell you, that’s much easier said than done.
Should ASU get over that tough mid-season Oregon hump in the schedule, the Sun Devils will have a great shot at running the table all the way to the school’s first Rose Bowl birth since 1997.
Colorado (1-3) has no shot of beating the Sun Devils at Frank Kush Field during Homecoming weekend, especially with that putrid 105th-ranked rushing attack.
Next up are road trips to UCLA (2-2) and Washington State (2-1). The Bruins only beat an overmatched OSU last week by eight, and simply aren’t as experienced or as talented as ASU. And the week-ten matchup with the Cougars in Pullman should be considered a practice run for the Nov. 19 showdown with the Wildcats in Tempe.
Arizona (1-3) honestly has no shot to beat the Sun Devils this year. “Block that kick” is so far in their heads that ASU will have the mental advantage before the game even starts. Consider that, plus the fact that the Wildcats are pretty much a one-man band with senior quarterback Nick Foles leading the show, and the likely result is a one-sided affair in Tempe that night.
The last week of the regular season is senior night against Cal. I don’t think ASU, especially the seniors, has forgotten the 50-17 beat down the Golden Bears put on them in Berkeley last year. I would expect the Sun Devils to come out with some fire and put this game away early.
Beyond that, No. 6 Stanford will most likely lay waiting to square off for the Pac-12 title.
And something about that game tells me that it’s time for roses once again.
Reach the columnist at kyle.j.newman@asu.edu
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