Arizona St Sun Devils 2024 College Football Preview
Posted July 7, 2024
2023 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 6-6
Year one of the Kenny Dillingham experience was a bit of a rough ride to say the least. The Sun Devils slithered past something known as Southern Utah (W 27-24) in their opener (32 point favs) but didn’t win another game until late October then they took down Washington St. They SHOCKED the WORLD a few weeks later by skinning UCLA but finished with a thud losing their final two contests by a combined tally of 108-36.
Arizona St Sun Devils 2024 Outlook
OFFENSE
It was less entertaining than watching an NBA regular season game **. The offense could only muster 18 PPG (#124) and they got horrific QB play (8-14 TD to INT) which made things unwatchable at times. The QB battle is unsettled as we approach press time and incumbent Trenton Bourguet (1 TD pass in 248 attempts LY) will battle Michigan St transfer Sam Leavitt, and the well travelled Jeff Sims over the summer months. You’ve gotta believe that Leavitt wins the job based on his upside vs the other two doods but we’ll see how things shake out. The Sun Devils lose their top-two pass catchers including productive WR Elijhah Badger and the WR/TE room is still a major question mark. Maybe WR Jordyn Tyson can emerge as the #1 guy they need? Things look good at RB with the return of the underrated Cameron Skattebo (783, 9 TD) as well as the #2 and #3 options. The OL struggled LY (3.6 YPC, 30 sacks) and it still appears to be a work in progress. The Sun Devils hope that several of the bodies acquired thru the portal can be significant contributors.
** “Chuck, these 6,800 fans are being treated to a great game where nobody even pretends to play defense.”
“That’s right, Stan. 168-167 at the end of the third quarter means it’s anyone’s ball game.”
“Great point, Chuck. Good thing these guys make $509 million a year apiece because anything less would be disrespectful. They’ve got families to feed.”
“Brilliant take as usual, Stan. Let’s pass a hat around the press box and see if we can’t raise some money for these poor guys.”
DEFENSE
The run defense was really good LY (134 YPG, #38) but they had a horrible time defending the pass (#113 pass efficiency D, 28-5 TD to INT). The DL could be a sore spot as they lost some key contributors but at least DE Prince Dorbah is still hanging around (9.5 TFL LY). Arizona St scooped up a pair of sweet LB transfers in Zyrus Fiaseu (#1 tackles SD St) and Keyshaun Elliott (#1 tackles New Mexico St) and added a boatload of transfers to the back end of the defense. They also retain leading tackler and team leader Shamari Simmons at FS. There’s certainly some upside to this stop unit given the talent influx but we worry about the big men up front and their ability to shut down the run like they did in 2023.
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH.
Arizona St ranked #119 on the Phil Steele special teams leaderboard LY and they’ll be working with a new P and PK in 2024.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Sun Devils will have to work hard for every win as there are no soft spots on the schedule. All three non-conference tilts are challenging (Wyoming, Mississippi St, at Texas St) and they draw Utah (H) and Kansas St (A) in Big 12 action.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Texas St (Sept 12)
The Bobcats are an emerging JUGGERNAUT and they’ll be pumped to play a Power 4 team at home on a Thursday night. Also be advised that the Sun Devils have conference play up next (at Texas Tech).
Season Win Total
Market consensus July 7
Over 4.5 +120
Under 4.5 -150
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under
It’s gonna be very difficult to win five games with that schedule.
NOTE – “Lean” implies this is how we’d invest in this market if forced to make a choice. We’ll notify subscribers in our Season Win Total blog post of any season win totals that have made our investment card.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
After posting a SU home record of 16-5 (!) from 2018 to 2021 the Sun Devils are a mediocre 4-10 SU in Tempe over the L2Y.
Arizona’s St last conference title came back in 2007 when they shared PAC-12 glory with USC. The Sun Devils won the PAC-12 South division in 2013 but fell in the PAC-12 Championship Game to Stanford (L 38-14).
Tempe is located in Maricopa Country which has become famous for election thievery and incompetence.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
We’re looking forward to Arizona St making a splash in the Big 12 but it’s not going to happen this season. The Sun Devils are still building the roster on both sides of the football but fans can hope for a couple of upsets and some positive vibes heading into 2025. Hang in there, Sun Devils. FORKS UP!