Arizona St Sun Devils 2022 College Football Preview
June 15, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 5-8
There were lofty expectations for this bunch before the season, and rightfully so. They opened up with five wins in their first six games but subsequently dropped back-to-back PAC 12 games (Utah, Washington St) and that meant GLUG….GLUG….GLUG…..high hopes sink into the depths.
The Sun Devils finished with a mark of 8-5 which is nothing to be ashamed about, but there’s no doubt that they were hoping for bigger things. What can we expect in 2022?
Arizona St Sun Devils 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The offense struggled a lot more than you would have thought LY given the talent on hand (#75 FBS total offense, #67 scoring offense) and we have a significant change at QB to talk about. The dynamic Jayden Daniels if off to LSU but he booked a meager 10-10 TD to INT mark in 2021. In comes Emory Jones (Gators) who is similar to Daniels in that he has SKILLZ that KILLZ in terms of running (759 rush yards LY) but he needs to develop as a passer. We worry a lot about the Sun Devils losing their top-two RBs (1408 yards, 21 TD combined LY) and their top-four (!) targets in the THROW GAME. Adding former Wyoming RB Xazavian Valladay and WR Bryan Thompson from Utah will help, but it remains to be seen if they have enough talent on the roster to do serious damage. Only two starters return up front and they’ll have new starters at C and LT. Hopefully the coaching staff can cobble together a decent group given the influx of transfers.
DEFENSE
Arizona St has been solid on D in recent years but they were particularly stingy in 2021 (#13 FBS total D, #33 run D, #17 pass efficiency D, 20.8 PPG). There might be trouble on the horizon as they bring in a new DC and only have four returning starters on this side of the football (11,8,7 RS L3Y). The LB unit is in fine shape with the return of two of the team’s three leading tacklers including senior Kyle Soelle (#1 in stops, 8 TFL). There doesn’t appear to be an elite pass rusher in the front four and the secondary loses a pair (!) of players to the NFL. There’s almost certainly going to be a good sized drop in many key defensive metrics in 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Primary KR and PR DJ Taylor is back in the mix (13.9 PR, 21.9 KR) as is punter Eddie Czaplicki. They need to find a replacement for PK Cristian Zendejas (8-11 FG, 40-41 XP LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s not too bad. There are two layups in non-conference play and they miss Oregon. The second half of the schedule is much easier (four road games, tho) so it’s not impossible to see them getting on a bit of a roll down the stretch.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 8th – Washington
This tilt comes right after back-to-back games with Utah and USC and those contests will go a long way towards determining the success of their season. If they lose both of those BAD BOYS, considering there is a bye on deck, they might mail this one in, yo.
Season Win Total
per 5Dimes June 15
Over 6.5 +110
Under 6.5 -140
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under
Seven wins feels like a bit of a stretch given the number of new faces on offense and defense, not to mention in the coaching staff.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Sun Devils are a sparkling 46-15 (.754) at home L10Y but a mediocre 22-28 (.440) ON THE HIGHWAY.
HC Herm Edwards is just 20-23 ATS with the Sun Devils but note that he’s booked a 7-2 mark in the role of road underdog.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The Sun Devils are clearly a notch below the Trojans and Utes, but that doesn’t mean they can’t RALLY THE TROOPS and find a way to get to a bowl game. That’s a legit and reasonable goal. We think they’ll finish anywhere from 5-7 to 7-5, but it’s important to note that the HERMINATOR has always done his best work when things look bleak.
FORKS UP!
Want more Arizona St Football ?
WEBSITE
https://thesundevils.com/sports/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