2008 Arizona State Football


July 29, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Dennis Erickson didn’t miss a beat last year, leading the Arizona State Sun Devils to a 10-3 record in his first season.  A 54-32 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the Holiday Bowl has left a sour taste in players’ mouths, and these 16 returning starters will be looking for bigger things this season.  The Info Plays team shows you how far they can go with our 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football predictions along with a team preview below.

Offense:

Quarterback Rudy Carpenter has the bruises to show for getting sacked repeatedly last season.  Still, Carpenter sent school records with his ability to get the ball down field under the toughest circumstances.  Head coach Erickson called him a warrior for getting through the season.  The Sun Devils will try to make life easier for Carpenter this season with four and five receiver sets.  This will allow Carpenter to make quick reads and release the ball in 3-step drops to avoid a 55-sack repeat of last season.  Carpenter’s numbers were solid last year with 62% completions, 3,202 yards passing and 25 touchdowns.  Those numbers should  only increase in 2008.

Chris McGaha is a proven receiver with 61 catches for 830 yards.  The speedster is Michael Jones and the slot receiver is Kyle Williams.  Up-and-coming threats include Kerry Taylor, Nate Kimbrough and Brandon Smith.  The line has be better this year.  Injuries took their toll on last year’s veteran unit.  Junior talent has taken over now, where center Thomas Alteri will be asked to develop quickly at center.  Running back by-committee was the approach last season with Keegan Herring, Dimitri Nance and Shaun DeWitty.  Incoming freshman Ryan Bass will get a shot to win the position, but the Devils hop Herring can build off of last year’s 815 rushing yards and 5.3 yards per carry to take the bulk of the load at running back.

Defense:

Arizona State made big strides as a defense last year.  It didn’t show so much late as the Sun Devils allowed 44 points to USC and then 52 to Texas in their bowl game.  The goal this season is more blitzing and an increased emphasis on establishing a pass rush.  It starts up front with Dexter Davis and Luis Vasquez who combine for one of the best end tandems in the Pac-10.  Davis had 10.5 sacks a year ago and Vasquez led all defensive linemen with 43 tackles.  The two combined for 15 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.

Gerald Munns and Mike Nixon are primed to make names for themselves at linebacker.  Munns was the most impressive player in spring drill with big hits and a habit of always being around the ball.  Safety Troy Nolan is an all-league candidate with six interceptions a year ago.  Nolan also finished third on the team in tackles.  Omar Bolden is a special corner after a stellar freshman campaign.

Arizona State Football Predictions at Info Plays:  2nd in the Pac-10

Rudy Carpenter brings the most experience of any quarterback in the Pac-10.  That fact seems to count for a lot in this league.  The Sun Devils will find out how good they are right away, when they play No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 USC in the first half of the season.  Arizona State may not be at their level yet, but they are good enough to finish second in the Pac-10.

Pac-10 Wins Expected in ‘08:  STANFORD, OREGON, at Oregon State, at Washington, WASHINGTON STATE, UCLA

Potential Scares/Losses:  at California, at USC, at Arizona

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