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ASU Football: Looking back at the last six Territorial Cups

By Cody Whitehouse

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Trelon Smith #19 (R) of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrate with the territorial cup after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Trelon Smith #19 (R) of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrate with the territorial cup after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Hrm Edwards of the Arizona State Sun Devils after the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at Sun Devil Stadium on September 1, 2018, in Tempe, Arizona. The Arizona State Sun Devils won 49-7. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Hrm Edwards of the Arizona State Sun Devils after the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at Sun Devil Stadium on September 1, 2018, in Tempe, Arizona. The Arizona State Sun Devils won 49-7. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

2018 ─ The Unknown

Leadership models, top-15 in the nation, consistent contention in the Pac-12 South – these were some of the reasons stated for the hire of Herm Edwards as Arizona State’s head football coach.

After what many deemed as a successful rebound season for Todd Graham at 7-5, he was fired by Athletic Director Ray Anderson in favor of former NFL coach and ESPN analyst, Edwards.

Down south, Arizona was also looking for a new head coach after the firing of Rich Rodriguez stemmed from investigations of misconduct. The Wildcats secured their new head coach Kevin Sumlin in was considered to be as a more traditional hire than Edwards.

Sumlin had established himself as a top coach in the collegiate game after going 51-26 during his six-season tenure at Texas A&M.

The Edwards era got off to a quick start in Tempe as a victory over No. 15 Michigan State quickly silenced many critics. After a 2-0 start, the Sun Devils struggled, winning one of their next five games with all four losses coming by seven points.

Those close losses continued to define the season, as ASU now sits at a record of 6-5 with all five of their losses on the season coming within one score. While ASU sits just a game above .500, their rival down south sits a game below five hundred at 5-6.

Arizona struggled to adjust Tate to a more pass-centric offense under Sumlin as he had only 178 rushing yards heading into the team’s matchup against Arizona State. Tate’s change to more of pocket passer has had up-and-down results throughout the season as he currently sits at 2,248 yards passing with a touchdown to interception ratio of 23-7.

ASU will look to lean on to now Wilkins alongside the star pairing of running back Eno Benjamin and soon-to-be first-round draft pick, N’Keal Harry, while Arizona will focus on Tate to make plays with his arm.

How will the pair of Harry and Wilkins finish their storied careers at Arizona State?

Which first-year head coach will be able to taste their first Territorial Cup victory?

Next. ASU Football: What’s left for the Sun Devils to accomplish in 2018. dark

Only Saturday will tell.

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