Arizona St Sun Devils 2021 College Football Preview
Created July 24, 2021
2020 Recap
Record – 2-2
ATS – 3-1
The Sun Devils snatched DEFEAT out of the jaws of VICTORY in game #1 when they blew a 13-point late 4Q lead at USC (L28-27). They dropped their next one to UCLA but finished strong scoring an impossible 116 (!) points in their final two games vs Arizona and Oregon St. They’re now 4-6 in their last 10 games after a hot start in 2019.
Arizona St Sun Devils 2021 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Sun Devils CRUSHED and KILLED on the ground in the four-game plandemic season averaging 264 YPG (#7 FBS). Everyone is back in 2021 including #1 RB Rachaad White who averaged an eye-popping 10.0 YPC (!) and RB Chip Trayanum is an absolute beast. QB Jayden Daniels rushed for 223Y and 4 TDs in 4G and threw 5 TD passes in his spare time (58%, 1 INT). Essentially everyone that caught a pass in 2020 returns for duty and note that the Sun Devils were #12 in the FBS LY in yards per attempt (8.9). Rachaad White led the team in receiving yards LY, Geordon Porter averaged 24 YPC, and they add Bryan Thompson from Utah (20.8 YPC in 2020, 25.6 YPC in 2019). They also added a pair of P5 transfers at TE. The offensive line should be one of the best in the PAC 12 and they’re led by 1st Team PAC 12 honoree Dohnovan West (G LY, C TY).
DEFENSE
The Sun Devils didn’t give up too many points LY (23.3, #32 FBS) but gave up a good chunk of yards, particularly on the ground (183 YPG, #86 FBS). Almost the entire defensive rosters returns and they look particularly strong up front. DE Tyler Johnson had 5 sacks in 4G (!) LY and they are chock-full of talent and size. Adding a transfer from LSU won’t hurt. They have impressive size at LB with the return of Merlin Robertson and Darien Butler, and the secondary returns leading tackler safety Evan Fields and outstanding CB Chase Lucas. If they can improve a bit on 3rd downs (#97 FBS) they have a shot to be really good.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The star of the unit is clearly KR DJ Taylor who averaged 35 yards a pop (TD). P Michael Turk was a 1st Team PAC 12 selection (39.5 net). They’ll need to find a new PK.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They get a couple of FREE SQUARES (Southern Utah, UNLV) before taking to the road to face BYU. Then it’s PAC 12 time, buh buh. They miss Oregon from the North and get USC at home. Utah needs to be faced in Salt Lake City.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Oregon St (November 20th)
They could be in letdown mode after facing USC and Washington in back-to-back weeks and note that the rivalry game with Arizona is on deck.
Season Win Total
per 5Dimes July 24
Over 9 +105
Under 9 -125
update August 21
Over 8.5 -135
Under 8.5 +115
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under.
We like this team a lot but that’s a pretty lofty number. It’s not easy to win 10 regular season games and the only layup in the division is Arizona. <update – still recommend the under at ‘9’ if you can find one> <8.5 is a pass>.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Arizona St’s last OUTRIGHT Pac 12 title came back in 1996 when the went 8-0 in conference play and finished 11-1 under HC Bruce Snyder. That team ended Nebraska’s 26-game (!) winning streak. The final score was 19-CACK. The QB of that squad? Your pal, Jake Plummer.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The HERMINATOR has put together a SOLID program in his short time in Tempe and this just might be his best team yet. The PAC 12 South is loaded but at least they get USC at home. Washington and Utah will be tough road tests. We like USC to win the division but Arizona St is right there in the mix as they don’t have a significant weakness. Forks Up, yo!
Want more Arizona St Football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.thesundevils.com/index.aspx?path=football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/arizona-state/Board/Devils-Inferno-102980/
https://arizonastate.forums.rivals.com/forums/devils-huddle.22/
NEWS
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/9/arizona-state-sun-devils
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu-sun-devils/
TWITTER
Hashtags – #ForksUp, #WordsandActions
Accounts to follow