Devils in Detail
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ASU Football: Who’s the toughest opponents on the schedule?

By Sam Ficarro

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils leaps past Adarius Pickett #6, Jamel Cook #21 and Kenny Young #42 of the UCLA Bruins for a touchdown during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils leaps past Adarius Pickett #6, Jamel Cook #21 and Kenny Young #42 of the UCLA Bruins for a touchdown during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass against the Boise State Broncos in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass against the Boise State Broncos in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

4. Oregon Ducks

One of the surprise wins Arizona State picked up last year was against the Oregon Ducks led by a dynamic offensive duo of quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Royce Freeman.

Half of that duo has graduated in Freeman but Herbert is back after missing a part of last season with an injury. Herbert will have a chip on his shoulder this season as he looks to boost his NFL stock.

Some draft experts think he could declare at season’s end and be a first-round pick if he puts up solid numbers.

Herbert threw for 1,983 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games played last season. He also was effective in the run game rushing for 183 yards and five touchdowns.

Oregon went 7-6 last season in large part to Herbert’s injury (the Ducks were 6-2 when Herbert started). The Ducks fell to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl 38-28.

The Ducks have a big hole to fill at running back with Freeman graduated as Tony Brooks-James will be the likely starter after rushing for 498 yards and two touchdowns.

Brooks-James got a good amount of playing time last season as Freeman missed some games with an injury. The redshirt senior is also dangerous in the passing game catching 144 yards and one touchdown last season.

Those numbers should go up with more snaps.

After Willie Taggert left Oregon suddenly to take the Florida State job, Mario Cristobal takes over as the head coach of the Ducks.

Taggert drastically improved Oregon’s defense as the Ducks allowed 29 points per game last season and Cristobal will look to continue that momentum.

Arizona State will face Oregon in Autzen Stadium on Nov. 17 in the penultimate game of the regular season. The Sun Devils have not won at Autzen Stadium since Oct. 2, 2004.

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