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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TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats warms up before the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats warms up before the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

6. Arizona Wildcats

Khalil Tate.

You’ll be hearing his name a lot this fall as the Wildcats will be a popular choice as a sleeper in the Pac-12 South.

Tate is one of the preseason Heisman Trophy favorites after putting up huge numbers in 11 games throwing for 1,591 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 1,411 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Coming in to coach him is former Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, who replaced Rich Rodriguez after conduct allegations were made against him.

Sumlin succeeded most at A&M when he had another dual-threat quarterback like Johnny Manziel. Sumlin will look to replicate that success with Tate.

Arizona State did win the Territorial Cup last season 42-30 but Tate didn’t play in the second half after picking up an injury. Brandon Dawkins finished the game for the Wildcats.

The Sun Devils took full advantage of Tate’s absence outscoring Arizona 28-6 in the second half as Manny Wilkins threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns while Demario Richard rushed for 165 yards and and two touchdowns in his final game at Sun Devil Stadium.

With the game in Tucson, it will be a raucous atmosphere and as long as Tate is healthy, the Wildcats will be the favorites to defeat ASU in the final game of the regular season.

Arizona State better hope they have six wins in the bag because they don’t want history to repeat itself like two years, where Arizona defeated Arizona State to prevent them from going to a bowl game.

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