Challenges Facing the Arizona State Football Program

The Sun Devils had a very interesting offseason in 2012. This is a program with a ton of turnover beginning with its players and ending with an entirely new coaching staff. New head coach Todd Graham faces many new challenges in his jump from the Big East to the Pac-12 conference.

Last season, the Arizona State Sun Devils started the season 6-2. They had an opportunity to control their own destiny and make it to a BCS game. Instead, the team completely crumbled and lost its final five games in a row.

According to Erick Smith of USA Today, star linebacker Vontaze Burfict got into a fight with a teammate in the locker room following practice one day. The Sun Devils fell apart, and the athletic director decided to part ways with former head coach Dennis Erickson. (Erick Smith, USA Today)

The loss of quarterback Brock Osweiler will be a tough pill to swallow. He could have helped tremendously, but opted to enter the NFL instead. Much maligned linebacker Vontaze Burfict is also gone to the NFL. They are among the over 10 starters that the Sun Devils will replace this season.

Todd Graham's hiring was bizarre to say the least. He was the coach at Pitt for one season and had a record of 6-6. He left on bad terms and basically abandoned his responsibilities when a better job offer came around.

This team faces many challenges and so does its head coach. Graham must decide who his quarterback is going to be and stick with the decision. He also needs to rely heavily on running back Cameron Marshall. He has the potential to have a huge season with a new system and inexperienced quarterback.

Sun Devil fans must be patient this season. There is a ton of change for this team in a short amount of time. Todd Graham will be faced with a lot of criticism, but rightfully so. If the team can show results on the field early, people will soon forget about his strange past at Pitt.

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