With ASU football kicking off against New Mexico State on Thursday night, The State Press football reporters shared their predictions for the upcoming season.
1. Who wins the starting quarterback job?
Mark Harris: After a scrimmage on Aug.19, head coach Todd Graham said, "Like I said, I've said it 100 times, we have a starting quarterback. The guy behind him has to beat him out." The starting quarterback the coach is referring to is Manny Wilkins, so expect Wilkins to be the starter.
Anthony Totri: To keep it short and sweet, I'll say Manny Wilkins gets the start week one. However, I find it incredibly unlikely he finishes as ASU's top quarterback.
Joe Jacquez: Head coach Todd Graham has strayed away from announcing who the starter will be, but I think Manny Wilkins will win the job. Neither Wilkins nor Blake Barnett have impressed, but Wilkins was the starter coming in and that is an advantage.
DISCLAIMER: These responses were made before the official depth chart was released with Manny Wilkins officially named as the starter.
2. Do you expect the starting quarterback to play the whole season, or will backups have to step in at some point?
MH: If this season is similar to last, then don't expect Wilkins to start in every game, as he missed two starts last year. I would not be shocked if Blake Barnett gets at least one start, and if Brady White is healthy then he might get a chance to play.
AT: Manny won't play the entire season, healthy or not. Barnett will see quite a few starts during the tough stretch for the Sun Devils. The current battle is between Barnett and Wilkins, but Brady White has the most talent at the position.
JJ: Wilkins has struggled to accurately complete passes and throw a deep ball. It honestly depends on how Wilkins does early in the year, but the coaching staff has said he has looked better compared to last fall camp. I think Barnett's skill set as a pocket passer will be utilized, possibly in third-down-and-long situations.
3. Will ASU improve from consecutive seasons as the worst passing defense in the nation?
MH: Yes, but expect plenty of growing pains with newcomers Joey Bryant and Kobe Williams ending up with playing time. Also, the schedule will help them out, since they won't play talented quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Davis Webb, and Luke Falk like they did last season.
AT: There is no where to go but up for this secondary. It may have been tough to lose some starters during the offseason, but it may have been just what they need to turn over a new leaf.
JJ: Even with the losses of Kareem Orr and Armand Perry, Graham and defensive coordinator Phil Bennett have offered nothing but praise for the corners and safeties, and they have been working hard on open-field tackling, which is what hurt the unit last season. With Bennett in charge and the players embracing his coaching style, I think the unit will improve.
4. Last year the offensive line had some struggles. How do they hold up this year?
MH: This group will show some improvement. Last season at this time, the Sun Devils had just one returning starter on the line. Now the starting line has four returners with starting experience, so expect them to be competent.
AT: It seems the consensus around ASU student media is that the offensive line is one of the stronger position groups on the team. Despite my colleagues' opinions, I believe after the starting five, there isn't much on the roster.
JJ: With a new coach (Rob Sale) and more experience, the offensive line should have a better idea of their roles and the communication should be better, which is paramount for success. As long as everyone stays healthy, the OL should improve.
5. How many receiving touchdowns for N'Keal Harry?
MH: The sophomore wideout ends up with 10 touchdowns. He's one of the best athletes on the team; there's no way he doesn't find the end zone.
AT: Harry should have between eight to 10 touchdowns this season. No question he is a top three wideout in the Pac-12 and top 10 in the country.
JJ: Even with only five touchdowns last season, Harry was arguably one of best receivers in the Pac-12. With an improved offensive line and a year of experience playing with Wilkins, Harry will have eight touchdowns.
6. Who finishes with more rushing yards, Kalen Ballage or Demario Richard?
MH: Demario Richard finishes with more rushing yards. Richard's 2016 season wasn't great, but in 2015 he ran for 1,104 yards as a true sophomore. I wouldn't be shocked if he morphed back into the player he was two years ago.
AT: It's hard not pick Kalen Ballage as leading the team in rushing yards. Offensive coordinator Billy Napier intends to use a two-back set in a lot of situations, but make no mistake, Ballage is the workhorse.
JJ: An inconsistent offensive scheme and injuries to the front seven hurt Ballage's and Richard's ability to get big yards with any consistency. I think Ballage will get more carries and thus, more yards, but it will be close.
7. Which player leads the team in touchdowns?
MH: Kalen Ballage, he's a force near the goal line and his remarkable speed will strike fear in defenses. He's also a good receiver from the backfield, which will help him score.
AT: This is a toss up between Harry and Ballage. Defensive coordinators will be game planning against Ballage, so my money is on Harry.
JJ: Kalen Ballage.
8. Who is a lesser-known player that will have a big impact this season?
MH: Redshirt freshman wide receiver Frank Darby will make himself known in 2017. He's gotten great reviews from coaches in camp and I think some of it will translate to the field.
AT: It has to be the former Chandler Wolf Chase Lucas. He isn't pegged to start right off the bat, but his quickness and athleticism should quickly get him off the second-team defense.
JJ: Highly-recruited Eno Benjamin might not get a lot of national attention because he is behind Ballage and Richard on the depth chart, but Graham has praised him all camp and he should contribute right away.
9. What is your prediction for the Sun Devils' final record?
MH: ASU finishes 6-6. The Sun Devils race to a 3-1 start, then tread water with wins against Colorado, OSU and Arizona.
AT: Looking through the schedule, I've been firm in my prediction of five wins. This team just doesn't have the quality at quarterback or defensive back to truly make a name for themselves.
JJ: 6-6. I am optimistic about this veteran-laden team, especially what I have seen from the offensive line and the secondary. Both units have looked improved. I think they win at Utah and UCLA, lose to Oregon State in the cold of Corvallis and beat a depleted Colorado team at home.
10. With this record, does Todd Graham keep his job?
MH: On the surface, a 6-6 finish leaves Graham searching for a new gig, but if the Sun Devils are competitive as underdogs against teams like Stanford, UW, Utah, and USC then Graham could be safe.
AT: With five wins Graham doesn't keep his job. The consensus is he is on the hot seat and will need one of his best seasons yet to stay at ASU. From what I've seen, the only way Graham stays in town next season is if ASU finds itself in the top 25 before the end of the season.
JJ: 6-6 would make ASU bowl eligible, and I think that is just enough to give Graham another year.
Reach the reporter at mpharri7@asu.edu or follow @Harris_Mark7 on Twitter.
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