Arizona State Football 2011 Schedule: A Game by Game Look at the Sun Devils

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TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver Kerry Taylor #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs with the football during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on December 2, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 30-29 in doubl

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

While the 2010 season was a disappointment, the 2011 ASU football team is full of expectation and optimism.

Despite missing a bowl for the third straight season in 2010, the 2011 ASU football team is predicted to challenge for the top spot in the Pac-10 south and possibly be ranked in the top 25 as the year begins.

This year, the schedule will be different than most ears as it is the first ear of the Pac-12 so the Sun Devils will not be playing every conference team and will have the possibility of playing in the first ever conference championship game at the home-field of the number one seed.

As it stands now here is a game-by-game breakdown of the 2011 football schedule.

UC Davis

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: General view of the exterior of Sun Devil Stadium before the Insight Bowl between the Missouri Tigers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

When: September 1

Opponents 2010 Record: 6-5

Notes: This game is nothing more than a preseason cupcake, which the Sun Devils should win comfortably to open the season.

Missouri

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

When: September 10

Opponents 2010 Record: 10-3

Notes: Missouri will be trying to replace NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, but the Big-12 opponent should be a tough test.

Illinois (Road)

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs against the Northwestern Wildcats closes in during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated Northwestern 48-27. (Photo by

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

When: September 17

Opponents 2010 Record: 7-6

Notes: This will be ASU’s first road test of 2011. The Illini are a middle of the road Big Ten team but a non-conference road win would go a long way towards encouraging Sun Devils fans about the season.

USC

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans lines up against the Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How/Getty Images

When: September 24

Opponents 2010 Record: 8-5

Notes: Although ASU lost to USC last year, they played the Trojans tough. The Sun Devils will be at home and would like to open Pac-12 South play with a win.

Oregon State

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

When: October 1

Opponents 2010 Record: 5-7

Notes: It will be interesting to see the Beavers offense without Jacquizz Rodgers.

Utah (Road)

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Shaky Smithson #1 of the Utah Utes runs for yardage against Derrell Acrey #52 of the Boise State Broncos during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Phot

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

When: October 8

Opponents 2010 Record: 10-3

Notes: This will be the Utes first year in the Pac-12 so it is unclear how they will fare. Utah has been a good team the past few years despite struggling down the stretch last year.

Oregon (Road)

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks scrambles against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

When: October 15

Opponents 2010 Record: 12-1

Notes: The two-time defending conference champions will be good again in 2012. Autzen is always a tough place to play, but it will be a good test for ASU to see how they stack up against the conference’s best.

Colorado

Eric Francis/Getty Images

When: October 29

Opponents 2010 Record: 5-7

Notes: Colorado, like Utah, will be in their first season in the Pac-12. The Buffaloes have struggled recently but a new coaching staff could bring about change.

UCLA (Road)

PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Richard Brehaut #12 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates Johnathan Franklin's (not pictured) touchdown in the first half against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jef

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

When: November 5

Opponents 2010 Record: 4-8

Notes: UCLA has had quarterback troubles the past few years. Last year Brock Osweiler had his coming out party against the Bruins.

Washington State (Road)

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 23: Jeff Tuel #10 of the Washington State Cougars passes the ball against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

When: November 12

Opponents 2010 Record: 2-10

Notes: WSU has been improving the past few years, but they are still a bad team. This is not a division game, but it is a game ASU will need to win.

Arizona

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

When: November 19

Opponents 2010 Record: 7-6

Notes: This game could decide the Pac-12 South. Both of these teams are talented and rivalry games are always exciting.

California

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

When: November 26

Opponents 2010 Record: 5-7

Notes: Tedford coached teams are always a mystery. They seem to be hold and cold at different times in the year. Way to early to determine how they will perform.