In just one year, the Sun Devils went from a six-win season in 2006 to a ten-win season under first year coach Dennis Erickson. This year, the goals are even higher. Remember, they earned a co-championship of the Pac-10 last year, but their loss against USC left them without the Rose Bowl bid.
Offense.
Rudy Carpenter comes back for one more shot at quarterback in his senior year. Last year, he played with a sprained thumb for half the season, but is now injury-free. This will be his best year yet, and as it stands now, he is third on the career passing leaders list at Arizona State.
The O-line picture is not as rosy. The Devils lose their First Team Pac-10 center Mike Pollak, as well as two right tackles, a left tackle and left guard. While the line did well last year in scoring offense, they were horrendous in sacks allowed (only Notre Dame was worse) and with only thirty-plus starts between the five of them, they had better improve quickly. This is the key to Arizona State's season.
The receiving unit also took some big hits, with five gone, including two tight ends and one of whom- Zach Miller- was a Mackey Award finalist for 2006 season. The good news is that two of three projected WRs have had good experience- both Chris McGaha and Michael Jones had 13 starts last year- with Jones averaging almost seventeen yards a catch. Their TE, Dane Guthrie, played DE last year.
The running back situation is a "let's wait and see" attitude, with the Devils losing Ryan Torain. Keegan Herring (815 yards, 5.3 ypg) is the projected starter, and is extremely fast (4.3 in the 40). The problem for the running game is how well the O-line pushes off their blocks. Last year it wasn't a problem.
Defense.
The D-line looks more solid with three starters returning. They did lose DT Michael Marquardt, but the incoming addition of true freshman Lawrence Guy, a very highly touted lineman, could alleviate some jitters.
The linebacker unit looks very strong. They lost a stud in Robert James (First Team Pac-Ten), but returning five backers with starting experience, there will be no let-down. This unit looks like a monster.
The secondary was ranked in the top third last year, and looks to be about the same this year. They had two key losses in SS Josh Barrett and CB Justin Tryon, but this unit also returns four DBs with starting experience. Look for the same kind of season as last year's-steady, reliable and competitive.
Outlook.
This year's schedule is much more formidable than last year's. For starters, they host Georgia on September 20th. They get a bye, and then have a brutal two week road trip at both Cal and USC. Their hopes for a Pac-Ten crown are dependant on whether or not they can snap that 8-game losing streak against the Trojans, and beat either Cal or Oregon for a shot at a Rose Bowl bid. If they can do that, and beat Georgia, then you may be looking at a BCS-title dark horse.
3. Oregon Ducks.
We all know what could have happened if Dennis Dixon hadn't gotten hurt- probable BCS title game. But Dixon is gone and now what? Another very good team that should contend for the Pac-10 crown. Their schedule is the only thing that could stop them from running the tables.
Offense.
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