2011 Pre-Season Preview: Arizona State Sun Devils

2010 Record: (6-6, 4-5 in Pac-10)

Head Coach: Dennis Erickson (173-89-1 All-Time, 25-24 at ASU)

Last Bowl Game: 2007 Holiday (lost to Texas 52-34)

2010 Preview

CFBZ Sun Devil Links

2010 Arizona State Exit Survey

College Football Rountable: Pac-12 Edition

Pre-Spring All Pac-12 Team

Returning Pac-12 Offensive Firepower

Schedule

9/1: UC Davis

9/9: Missouri

9/17: at Illinois

9/24: USC (2010 result: lost 34-33)

10/1: Oregon State (2010 result: lost 31-28)

10/8: at Utah

10/15: at Oregon (2010 result: lost 42-31)

10/29: Colorado

11/5: at UCLA (2010 result: won 55-34)

11/12: at Washington State (2010 result: won 42-0)

11/19: Arizona (2010 result: won 30-29 2OT)

11/25: California (2010 result: lost 50-17)

2010 Offensive Statistics:

Scoring: 32.3 ppg (3rd in Pac-10, 27th in Nation)

Rushing Yds/Game: 139.25 yds/game (7th in Pac-10, 78th in Nation)

Passing Yds/Game: 286.4 yds/game (2nd in Pac-10, 15th in Nation)

Total Yds/Game: 425.7 yds/game (5th in Pac-10, 29th in Nation)

2010 Defensive Statistics:

Scoring: 25.0 ppg (5th in Pac-10, 55th in Nation)

Rushing Yds/Game: 120.25 yds/game (1st in Pac-10, 17th in Nation)

Passing Yds/Game: 245.3 yds/game (8th in Pac-10, 101st in Nation)

Total Yds/Game: 365.5 yds/game (5th in Pac-10, 57th in Nation)

2010 Misc Stats:

Turnover Margin: -0.50 per game (9th in Pac-10, 88th in Nation)

Penalties: 69.6 yds/game (last in Pac-10, 113th in Nation)

Returning Starters:

Offense: 7

Defense: 8

Kicker/Punter: 2

Top Returning Statistical Leaders:

Passing: QB Brock Osweiler, Jr (62 of 109 for 797 yds, 5 TD)

Rushing: RB Cameron Marshall, Jr (150 for 787 yds, 5.2 ypc, 9 TD)

Receiving: WR Mike Willie, Sr (36 rec for 442 yds, 6 TD)

Tackles: LB Vontaze Burfict, Jr (90)

Sacks: DE Junior Onyeali (6.5)

Interceptions: S Eddie Elder (2)*

*Omar Bolden tore ACL in the spring and may miss entire season

Bowl Predictions:

Athlon Sports: Holiday (vs Texas Tech)

Phil Steele: Holiday (vs Texas Tech)

When Dennis Erickson was at Miami he took them to a bowl game every year. When he got hired at Oregon State he went to bowls in three out of four years. Since he’s been at Arizona State, Erickson has only been to one bowl game in four years. Since he debuted at Arizona State with a 10-3 record he has a combined 15-21 record in his last three years. This year the divisions split and while Arizona State still plays USC and Oregon from the North they get to skip Stanford. Arizona State has one of the most experienced teams in the Pac-12. Is this the year that Dennis Erickson finally gets back to a bowl game and rights the ship? We caught up with Chris Adams from TheSunDevilsFootball.com to get his take on the 2011 Arizona State Sun Devils.

Former player Kerry Taylor recently took some pretty big shots at Dennis Erickson. What are your thoughts on Coach Erickson?

In my opinion, Dennis Erickson is not on the hot seat with Arizona State currently the favorite by numerous outlets to win the Pac-12 South Division. Also, Athletic Director Lisa Love has already stated numerous times that Dennis Erickson will live out his current contract, which extends through the 2012 season. Dennis Erickson has the fame, experience (and rings) to produce a national championship caliber team once again, in which 2011 seems to be his best chance yet. In regards to Kerry Taylor, his statements reek of blame and finger pointing after not being selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.

QB Steven Threet has retired and Brock Osweiler takes over, what does he bring to the table?

For the 4th year in a row, the Sun Devils will begin the season with a different starting quarterback. Brock Osweiler brings great size and running ability to the Sun Devils. But most importantly, Osweiler brings leadership to an offense that has been somewhat off-key for the past 3 seasons. His enthusiasm and ability to rally his team on field just might be the missing link for the mistake ridden offense. Not to mention his Ben Roethlisberger-like sixth sense in the pocket through evading the pass rush and using his strength and size to extend plays.

Outside of Vontaze Burfict, who are some players to watch out for on this Sun Devils defense?

Defensive tackle Will Sutton. The man didn’t play a snap in 2010 (sitting in line behind NFL-bound Lawrence Guy, alongside academic issues) and made ESPN’s Top-10 Breakout Player’s list following spring camps, sitting at No. 5 nationally. Sutton may in fact, make up for the loss of Lawrence Guy, and more, with his quickness and keen pass-rush.

Looking at the schedule, what are the most important games this year?

The Sun Devils have by no means an easy schedule in 2011. With out-of-conference games of Missouri and at Illinois in the 2nd and 3rd weeks, ASU is looking to get national respect fast, and early. The week after that, they battle USC at home–a team who they have not beaten in over 10 years. Last, but not least, the always frightful game In Autzen Stadium against the Oregon Ducks (self explanatory).

What is your gut feeling on the final record for the 2011 season and what makes the season successful in your eyes?

My gut feeling is 10-2 in 2012. Everything is set into place for the Sun Devils if they eliminate mental mistakes. To be successful and bring the crowds back to Tempe, ASU is going to have to at least win the Pac-12 South Division.

Next Preview: UNC

Coming in August: Pac-12 Preview

Coming in August: CFBZ Top 25 Countdown

2011 Team Previews

ACC- Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Maryland, Miami, NC State, Wake Forest

Big 12- Baylor , Iowa St, Kansas St, Texas Tech

Big East- Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, UConn, USF

Big Ten- Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota ,Northwestern, Penn St, Purdue

C-USA- East Carolina, Houston ,Marshall, SMU, Southern Mississippi, Tulane, UAB, UCF

Independent- Army

MAC- Akron, Ball St, Bowling Green, Buffalo ,Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Temple, Toledo, Western Michigan

MWC- Air Force, New Mexico, UNLV, Wyoming