Arizona State

Located in Tempe, Arizona State was founded in 1885 and boasts a huge enrollment of over 51,000.  Often known for its outstanding party environment and bevy of beautiful coeds, Arizona State comes into 2007 with a new coach, a healthy quarterback and huge holes to fill defensively.  The lack of defensive playmakers means that the Sun Devils will have to outscore their opponents and hope the defense can make enough timely stops to keep them in ballgames.

Seeking to improve upon a 7-6 2006 campaign, the Sun Devils are relying on junior quarterback Rudy Carpenter to rebound from an awful season.  Hampered by hand injuries and dropped balls by inexperienced receivers, Carpenter’s hopes rest on the ability of his receiving corps to make catches and big plays this season.  Senior running back Ryan Torian is slated to be the focal point of new head coach Dennis Erickson’s offensive attack.  Running behind a strong offensive line featuring three seniors and two juniors, it’s reasonable to expect an improvement on Torian’s 1,229 yards rushing in 2006.  With a favorable schedule with eight of twelve games at home, the Sun Devils’ hopes of being bowl eligible in 2007 are high.

New head coach Dennis Erickson brings a collegiate career record of 148-65-1 with him to Arizona State.  Erickson led the University of Miami to two National Championships and, in his previous stint in the PAC-10, led the rebuilding of Oregon State that resulted in an 11-1 season and a full-scale, 32 point butt whipping of Notre Dame in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl.  Basically, he wins.  Unfortunately, off field issues have plagued his coaching career.  One year at Washington State, his team boasted an impressive 1.94 team GPA.  His Miami teams were nailed for a number of NCAA rules violations costing the team 31 scholarships and one year of postseason play.  His teams always play with passion, sometimes resulting in celebration penalties and late hits, but passion is something that was lacking under ASU’s previous coach Dirk Koetter.  Erickson’s run-first approach has made stars out of players like Stephen Jackson and look for Ryan Torian to have a breakout season bringing national attention.

 Arizona State Sun Devils Key Departures/Players to Watch 

Losing tight-end Zach Miller to the NFL means that the Sun Devils will have to rely upon their young receivers to make big catches in crucial situations.  Four year starting place kicker Jesse Ainsworth’s graduation means that the team will have to find a reliable leg to replace his 84 points in 2006.  First and foremost among the players to watch is running back Ryan Torian.  The former junior college transfer has the potential to carry this team and rush for over 1,000 yards.  With only five returning starters on defense, true freshman Omar Bolden could win a spot and make an impact in the defensive backfield.