ASU Football: Dealing with a Change in Reputation

After winning 11 combined games over the past two years, ASU football, for the time being, no longer holds its reputation as a budding Power Five program.

The first three seasons under head coach Todd Graham were unquestionably successful as he led the Sun Devils to a cumulative 28-12 record, a Pac-12 South title in 2013 and a pair of top-20 finishes in the final AP Poll. During his tenure, Graham has also had seven of his players drafted into the National Football League.

Coming into 2015, Arizona State entered the year with high expectations after posting back-to-back 10 wins seasons. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit went as far as to name the Sun Devils as a preseason pick to the College Football Playoff.

Two blowout losses in September though to Texas A&M and USC shattered the confidence of the Sun Devils as the team finished below .500 (6-7, 4-5) for the first time under Graham.

The 2016 season was another step in the wrong direction for ASU. A promising 5-1 start followed by six consecutive losses to close out the season left the Sun Devils ineligible for a bowl game for the first time since 2010.

Much of the inconsistent play in 2016 could be attributed to the vast number of injuries on the Sun Devils roster. However, ASU also finished second to last nationally in total defense, allowing over seven yards per play and 520 yards per game.

Now, just four players remain from the roster that last won the division and it is time for ASU to change its mentality. The Sun Devils are adapting to become a younger team with promising recruits but are no longer one of the up-and-coming programs in college football.

Arizona State has the capability to reestablish its reputation by changing its identity. The biggest changes have to come in the secondary and at the wide receiver position.

To compare, the 2013 defense, which has five players currently in the NFL, caused 33 takeaways in 14 games (21 interceptions, 12 fumbles recovered) and 101 tackles for loss while allowing 26.6 points per game. In 2016 the Sun Devils gave up 39.8 points per contest with 17 takeaways (nine interceptions, eight fumbles recovered) and 80 tackles for loss.

ASU needs to adjust in the secondary. The defensive backs, while talented, can’t try to jump every pass thrown in their direction. Developing younger players to effectively learn several coverages will allow the linebackers and linemen to keep consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With safety Armand Perry retiring and cornerback Kareem Orr transferring, two spots are up for grabs over the summer.

Offensively, the focus needs to shift away from the ground game. Senior running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage will still be factors but Graham now has a surplus of talent at wide receiver.

Sophomore N’Keal Harry and junior Jalen Harvey are expected to become a strong combination on the outside with Oklahoma transfer John Humphrey and Texas transfer Ryan Newsome playing in the slot. With multiple weapons, Alabama transfer Blake Barnett or junior Manny Wilkins should be able to thrive as the team’s signal-caller.

Next: ASU Football: Cameron Smith Transfers to Notre Dame

While 2017 will be a difficult season for Arizona State, the team will be progressing  in the right direction.