2008 Arizona State Football Predictions

The Sun Devils are coming off an impressive 10-3 season and it won't take us long to find out what they are made of this year as they play Georgia and USC in the first half of the season. Find out if the Sun Devils will be ready for these formidable foes in Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils predictions and season preview. Arizona State is listed at 80-1 odds at Sportsbook.com to win the 2009 BCS Championship.
 

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Offense

Rudy Carpenter was one of the best in the league at the QB position in 2007, but his success was no walk in the park as he had to deal with repeatedly being sacked (55 times). The Sun Devils are expected to install more four and five wideout sets to make life easier on a guy head coach Dennis Erickson has described as a warrior. Carpenter threw for 3,202 yards and 25 touchdowns last season and I expect these numbers to increase as the offense looks to throw the ball even more. Carpenter also has plenty of weapons to throw to. Chris McGaha is coming off a solid 61-catch 830-yard season. Michael Jones gives the Devils speed to stretch the field, Kyle Williams is a good slot receiver, and Kerry Taylor, Nate Kimbrough, and Brandon Smith add depth. One thing we know for sure is that the line has to be better. Injuries took their toll on a veteran unit last season and one has to expect better play from a healthier line that will be one of Erickson's primary focuses. Keegan Herring will get the bulk of the carries in a by-committee running back system. He rushed for 815 yards with a 5.3 yards per carry average in 2007.

Defense

Arizona State made huge strides on the defensive side of the ball last season, ranking 30th in the country in total defense. But late in the season against Oregon and USC, and against Texas in the Holiday Bowl, the defense was predictable. The second-year coaching staff will look to implement more blitzing and put an emphasis on the pass rush to keep progressing. Dexter Davis and Luis Vazquez should be one of the most productive defensive end duos in the conference. The two combined for 15 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in 2007, but defensive coordinator Craig Bray is convinced that this duo can do more damage. Linebackers Gerald Munns and Mike Nixon looked great in the spring which has ASU not even sweating the loss of middle linebacker Robert James. Safety Troy Nolan is the big play guy in the secondary, hauling in six interceptions last year and finishing third on the team in tackles. Omar Bolden is an NFL talent at the cornerback spot.

Special Teams

Arizona State had the best place kicker in the country in 2007 with Lou Groza Award winner Thomas Weber, who converted 24 of 25 field goal attempts.

Prediction – 2nd Pac-10

Georgia and USC, two teams highly regarded as the best in the country, will likely be first half of the season losses for the Sun Devils, but ASU will still be a force in the Pac 10 and should threaten another 10-win season. Better seasons from Cal and UCLA are expected along with a repeat season from Oregon, but ASU has the edge. Bet the Sun Devils at 4-1 odds to win the Pac-10 if you think they have what it takes.

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July 10th, 2008