Go Devils!

I'm almost positive I've never had a blog topic request before so just for Sully, let's talk about Arizona State football. In case you haven't noticed, our beloved Sun Devils are sitting undefeated at 7-0 in their first season under new head coach Dennis Erickson. They are #12 in the polls and #8 in the first BCS rankings. This is all fantastic news. Now, on to the flip side.

The Devils recently lost starting running back Ryan Torain for the season to a toe injury. This hurts, but ASU is positioned better than most teams would be to deal with such a situation. In fact, they have not one, but two capable back ups that are both averaging more yards per carry in the explosive Keegan Herring and promising sophomore Dimitri Nance.

Despite their unblemished record, the Sun Devils have demonstrated two traits that could really hurt them down the stretch. First, they have shown an uncanny knack for digging huge first half deficits for themselves. Last week they trailed in the third quarter before blowing the Washington Huskies away in the second half, 31-3. They needed similar comebacks against Washington State, Oregon State, and Colorado. Clearly they pulled it out every time when they needed to but this is not something they can continue to do.

My other concern is excessive penalties. Erickson seems to have brought a Miami Hurricanes type swagger to the team, and that's great. But the Devils cannot continue to commit stupid penalties, because, unlike some of Erickson's old Miami teams, ASU just isn't talented or experienced enough to overcome them. No team in the Pac-10 has racked up more penalty yardage (491 yards through seven games). This pace must slow down.

To say that the remaining ASU schedule is rather daunting doesn't even begin to cover things. They have a bye this week, and it couldn't come at a better time, as after that they have to run the following ridiculous conference gauntlet:

October 27: #10 Cal
November 3: at #7 Oregon
November 10: at UCLA, the only other team undefeated in Pac-10 play
November 22: vs. #13 (and former #1) USC

Wow.

At the start of the year, I looked at that four game block and decided that realistically, I should be ecstatic if we could split. But with the way things have gone, 3-1 looks like at least a remote possibility.

And if we go 4-0 we should be no worse than #2 in the nation heading into a December 1 tilt with the hated Arizona Wildcats with a BCS championship game bid on the line for us. People are already talking about whether the upstart South Florida Bulls deserve a shot at the championship game if they win out, and that that is worthy of discussion. What should not be is this simple fact: if any team in thee Pac-10 goes undefeated, then they should be a lock for #1 or #2 in the country. Right now, ASU's chances to fit the bill are still quite alive.

That would kick a whole lot of ass.