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15/16 Football thread

Sgt Brutus

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ASU has a great shot to win the PAC. Obviously a tough conference (maybe the toughest atm) but the defense is a year older and Berco is a good Qb replacement!
 

Sgt Brutus

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The 5 most important games on the Arizona State Sun Devils' 2015 schedule - ABC15 Arizona

5. at UCLA (Oct. 3)

2014 record: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)

Last meeting: UCLA 62, ASU 27 (at ASU, Sept. 25)

Key player: Junior RB Paul Perkins (2014 stats: 1,575 rushing yards, nine touchdowns)

Last year’s Bruin blowout fittingly began with the letters “UCLA” carved into ASU’s pitchfork logo and ended in one of the Devils’ most lopsided home defeats of all-time. The loss happened to coincide with the first career start at quarterback for Mike Bercovici, who was filling in for injured senior QB Taylor Kelly.

Bruins QB Brett Hundley departed for the NFL in the offseason. But Perkins, his Chandler High School teammate, is set to return this year, along with eight other starters on offense. Will the sour taste undoubtedly left in Berco’s mouth from last year’s rout help propel the Devils to payback in Pasadena this October?

4. vs. Texas A&M (Houston, Sept. 5)

2014 record: 8-5 (3-5 SEC)

Last meeting: None

Key player: Junior WR Josh Reynolds (2014 stats: 842 receiving yards, 13 TDs)

In one of the nation’s most appealing non-conference matchups and the first-ever meeting between the two schools, the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff game will technically be played on neutral turf -- but it will likely sound like a home game for the Aggies, whose campus is located 100 miles southeast of Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Texas A&M had a mediocre 2014 campaign but is returning six players on offense, including Reynolds, whose 13 TDs were second-best in the SEC behind 2015 NFL first-round draft pick Amari Cooper. Yes, it’ll be the first game of the season, but if the Devils are going to be in the national championship discussion in November, it’s a must-win.

3. vs. USC (Sept. 26)

2014 record: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-12)

Last meeting: ASU 38, USC 34 (at USC, Oct. 4)

Key player: Senior QB Cody Kessler (2014 stats: 3,826 passing yards, 39 TDs, five interceptions)

The Sun Devils have won their last two meetings against USC, including last season’s “Jael Mary” victory in LA. But Jaelen Strong, the man who made that last-second miracle catch, has since moved on to the NFL -- and Kessler, who was a three-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week in 2014, has returned for his senior season.

Many experts are picking one of these two teams to win the Pac-12 South. The Sun Devils will take an important early upper hand in the division race if they’re able to defeat USC and earn their first-ever three-game winning streak against the Trojans in the process.

2. vs. Arizona (Nov. 21)

2014 record: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12)

Last meeting: UA 42, ASU 35 (at UA, Nov. 28)

Key player: Sophomore RB Nick Wilson (2014 stats: 1,375 rushing yards, 16 TDs)

Last year’s meeting marked the first time since 1986 that both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they met, which is why the Territorial Cup rivalry is finally getting the national recognition it deserves. ASU lost a very competitive game to its rivals in Tucson last year thanks in part to Wilson’s 178 rushing yards and three TDs, as the Wildcats clinched their first Pac-12 South championship. But the Devils will have the home-field edge this November.

Along with Wilson, the Wildcats return unanimous All-American linebacker Scooby Wright III, promising young quarterback Anu Solomon and talented wide receivers Cayleb Jones and Samajie Grant. But Graham is 2-1 against Rich Rodriguez and the Wildcats, and he has embraced the importance of this game unlike any ASU head coach since Frank Kush, who went 16-5 against the Cats from 1958-78.

1. vs. Oregon (Oct. 29)

2014 record: 13-2 (8-1 Pac-12)

Last meeting: Oregon 43, ASU 21 (at ASU, Oct. 18, 2012)

Key player: Sophomore RB Royce Freeman (2014 stats: 1,365 rushing yards, 18 TDs)

The Devils and Ducks last met three
 

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I'm predicting 9 wins man. I have been pretty spot on the last few years.
 

Sgt Brutus

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5 Breakout Candidates:

-Kalen Ballage, running back: This one shouldn't come as a surprise. Entering his sophomore season, Ballage was one of ASU's top performers during spring practice. At 6-foot-3, 222 pounds, he has a rare combination of speed and power that makes him a beast in the open field. Richard is expected to shoulder more rushing responsibility, but Ballage will get his share as well.

-James Johnson, free safety: A 6-1, 192-pound sophomore, Johnson is in line to replace Damarious Randall, who in April became ASU's first first-round draft choice since 2003. Normally, losing such a player is cause for concern, but Graham and safeties coach Chris Ball feel good about the physical Johnson, who is one of the defense's smartest players.

-Sam Jones, tackle: ASU's tackle situation will be among the preseason's top story lines. Junior Evan Goodman and senior William McGehee are expected to open with the first team, but Jones (6-5, 297 pounds) likely will get a chance to show he's ready. He had a good spring, filling in at left tackle while Goodman recovered from a hamstring injury. In some ways, Jones reminds his position coach of former ASU tackle Evan Finkenberg, a four-year starter and All-Pac-12 selection. That can't be bad.

-Edmond Boateng, Devil-backer/defensive end: In his first season, Boateng last season started four games, splitting time at defensive end and ASU's Devil-backer position. In many ways, it was a typical first year for someone out of junior college – lots of learning, lots of confusion. Boateng showed flashes (4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks), but he also made mistakes. Entering preseason practice, he feels more comfortable in ASU's attacking scheme. Although he lined up mostly at defensive end during spring ball, Boateng expects to start preseason practice at Devil.

-Ellis Jefferson, receiver: ASU needs someone to step up to complement senior D.J. Foster. Graduate transfer Devin Lucien is a top candidate here, but so is Jefferson, a 6-4, 211-pound sophomore. Last season Jefferson caught 11 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Six catches and 100 yards of that production came during the three-game stretch in which Mike Bercovici started for injured quarterback Taylor Kelly. Contributing: Jefferson and Bercovici are roommates. They have a bond.

ASU football preview: Five breakout candidates
 

Sgt Brutus

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My buddy made the team as a walk on, hoping to see him get some reps on special teams but I'm sure that's a year off
 

Sgt Brutus

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just about GAME DAY
 

Sgt Brutus

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#fearthefork
 

Sgt Brutus

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At least the defense was impressive.
 

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well thats cool
 

Sgt Brutus

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Big game vs. Sc

anyone going?
 
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