2009 Previews: Arizona State

We go to one of the top party schools in the country for Preview No. 8, Arizona State. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, in no particular order, will run daily through Aug. 22.

Arizona State was a pretty big disappointment in 2008.

Coming off a 10-3 season that could have pretty easily been even better, expectations were high in the desert.

The Sun Devils flatlined in a big way, however, getting upset by UNLV at home in the third week of the season and never recovered. They finished 5-7.

From an overall talent standpoint, this team might actually be better in Captain Wanderlust Dennis Erickson’s third season, but they are very, very young and very, very inexperienced.

Gone is oft-sacked quarterback Rudy Carpenter and his 43 career starts, and in will step either senior Danny Sullivan or sophomore Samson Szakacsy (I don’t know how to say that either). Sullivan completed only 34 percent of his passes in spot duty last season, and here’s what Athlon has to say about Sullivan (direct quote)

“Sullivan isn’t particularly mobile or accurate, but he does have a strong arm.“

A ringing endorsement! Although, in fairness, that kind of skill set has worked just fine for some people.

All this uncertainty could pretty easily lead to 6-8 true freshman Brock Osweiler being thrown into duty. And a true freshman behind the disaster that has been the Sun Devil line doesn’t exactly scream big season.

Three starters and seven lettermen are back in that group, but if you watched Carpenter getting peeled off the turf like the rest of us did the last few seasons you know that’s not exactly reason for optimism.

And, the Sun Devils don’t really have a No. 1 option at running back or wide receiver.

In short, they’re probably not going to be very good offensively this year.

The defense, however, should be pretty good. Six starters are back from a unit that ranked 44th in the country last year, and Erickson has recruited pretty heavily on that side of the ball. The defense should be good enough to keep them competitive.

With a ton of breaks this could be a big season, but all signs point to mediocrity.

Here’s the schedule:

Sept. 5: Idaho State
Next

Sept. 12: Louisiana-Monroe
The Warhindians, as I like to call them, aren’t the horrific team we’ve come to know and love (ask Alabama, or Chris Todd and Kodi Burns). But they’re still pretty bad.

Sept. 26: at Georgia
I’m not high on Georgia at all but these Sun Devils aren’t going to waltz into Sanford Stadium and win. The 2007 version might have.

Oct. 3: Oregon State
A tough outing to begin conference play. Big measuring stick game.

Oct. 10: at Washington State
The Cougs are a long way from being even a mediocre football team again.

Oct. 17: Washington
So are the Huskies.

Oct. 24: at Stanford
Must-win road game. The Fightin’ Harbaughs are on the move.

Oct. 31: California
First of two big conference home games in which they’ll get killed.

Nov. 7: USC
No. 2.

Nov. 14: at Oregon
Huge game for both teams. Probably will determine bowl eligibility for at least one, and maybe both.

Nov. 21: at UCLA
Another big road game. Their toughest games aren’t on the road, but the games against the teams they’re most evenly matched with are.

Nov. 28: Arizona
The Wildcats finally are moving under Black Sheep Stoops.

If things go really well, they might win seven or eight games. Far more likely is a 6-6 season.