The ASU football team lost a game it should have won on Saturday. But it's not the end of the season. No, that already happened.
I had high hopes for this season, like many Sun Devils, but that optimism has come and gone after watching the first five games of the season.
The defense isn't what is was last year, nor is the offense. Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell has seemingly shrunk the playbook to only run the ball up the middle with Marion Grice or throw the ball up to Jaelen Strong.
The team has the pieces to compete in a weak Pac-12 South, but at this point, it's hard to see it winning games other than the ones it's supposed to win.
UCLA has looked like a team that wants to win and has the pieces to do so. ASU needs to display that want. And for that matter, it needs to show it has the pieces, too.
At least Sun Devil fans will likely get to see a big win against Colorado before getting throttled by Washington the following week.
It is what it is: Another disappointing season for ASU football. I hope Todd Graham is enjoying his contract extension.
Reach the columnist at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EWeebs.
