Devils in Detail
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ASU Football: Where Do They Stand in Pac-12?

By Sam Ficarro

Oct 15, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham during the first half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Sun Devils 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham during the first half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Sun Devils 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU football had a disappointing season after finishing the season 5-7. With the new coaching changes and player additions, where do ASU stand in the Pac-12?

ASU football is coming off the worst season under head coach Todd Graham after missing out on a bowl game with a 5-7 record.

The Sun Devils have underwent a lot of coaching changes, including a new offensive and defensive coordinator.

ASU will look to bounce back and contend in the Pac-12 South division.

Arizona State will still feature one of the more explosive offenses in the conference even with new offensive coordinator Billy Napier taking over.

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The Sun Devils have a bevy of quarterbacks who will compete for the starting position, but whoever the quarterback is, they should have a lot of success with ASU featuring one of the best running back tandems in the nation in Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage.

Not to mention that wide receiver N’Keal Harry should take the next step benefiting from Napier coaching some outstanding receivers at Alabama like Amari Cooper.

With that said, the defense will be the biggest X-factor for Arizona State.

Graham and new defensive coordinator Phil Bennett have to get the defense back to what it once was when Graham took over as head coach.

In the division, the USC Trojans are the favorites.

After winning the Rose Bowl in thrilling fashion over Penn State, quarterback Sam Darnold will be a red-shirt sophomore and look to lead the Trojans talented roster and pursue a national championship.

UCLA will also likely be in the mix with a healthy quarterback Josh Rosen coming back for the Bruins.

The talent exodus due to the NFL draft has depleted the roster, but Jim Mora is a good head coach and should get the Bruins back on track next season.

Colorado likely won’t be in the mix with the majority of its starters from this past season graduated.

Utah and Arizona will also likely improve as both feature electrifying run games and strong defenses.

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The Pac-12 South will be difficult but if ASU can have the right balance on offense and limit the amount of explosive plays given up on defense, the Sun Devils should be in the running for the division title.

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