After a 7-6 record last year with a home record of 5-1 but with an away record of 2-4 the Sun Devils are looking to improve this year. With head coach Herm Edwards returning for his second year, the team is looking to bounce back, especially since now the team should be used to his system along with also some of his recruits coming into play now. This team is going to have an interesting mix of players but first, let’s take a look at the schedule holds in store for Arizona State football in 2019.
- August 29 – Kent State
- September 6 – Sacramento State
- September 14 – @ Michigan State
- September 21 – Colorado
- September 27 – @ Cal
- October 12 – Washington State
- October 19 – @ Utah
- October 26 – @ UCLA
- November 9 – USC
- November 16 – @ Oregon State
- November 23 – Oregon
- November 30 – Arizona
*December 6 – Pac -12 Championship Game*
(Bold indicates Pac – 12 game)
Immediately when looking at this team on paper it is an interesting mix of young players but with also some experience on the team. Taking a look at the defensive side of the ball first, this team is primarily made up of freshman and sophomores. When looking at a team like this, it can be good or bad. With young players on the defensive side of the ball this typically means a lot more opportunities for flags, little more scuffles, and just some straight up bonehead moves on that side of the ball. Having Herm Edwards as a coach though, I am sure he will not tolerate that sort of behavior at all but at the end of the day, you can only control so much.
On the other hand, with young Freshman players, these are players that were recruited by Coach Edwards which I would also say typically means that they are bought into the system a lot more than some of the older players on the team. Last year, Arizona State Football was somewhat stout on the defensive side of the ball. Now obviously with some players leaving and new players coming in it is hard to predict what the defensive side can do. But, I think with Coach Edwards still at ASU, the defense is still going to produce pretty well. Last years team only allowed an average of 25 points per game. It isn’t the best but it isn’t the worst for where the program of ASU is at currently. This team has the possibility to improve on what they did last year for defense and I think it will truly be based on the fact on if the defense buys in.
On the other side of the ball, the offense is primed to be in a similar position that they were in last year. With the majority of this side of the ball being Juniors and Seniors, it should make the ability to make plays a little easier just do to sheer chemistry on the field. At the same time though you still don’t know who the clear cut QB is for this team which hurts a majority of the passing game. The battle will between Dillon Sterling-Cole and Jayden Daniels which both have seen some playing time during their tenures at Arizona State. I would assume most people think Jayden Daniels will become the favorite as we get closer to the season but with injuries and if the team starts to lose a few games, you never know what may happen.
Meanwhile at tailback, Eno Benjamin will be returning who had a decent year last year. If the offensive line holds up, I can see Herm leaning on the junior year back to carry the load if the passing game isn’t up to par. With an average of 5 yards per carry last year, Eno is looking to maintain that and hopefully break a few more this year. I think there is a possibility that we can see a sneaky candidate for one of the nations best backs with Benjamin.
Overall, there is promise for the Sun Devils but I still think they are going to be a middle of the pack team. I have them slated going 7-5 notching wins against Kent State, Sac State, Colorado, Washington State, Utah, Oregon State, and capping the year off with a win over Arizona. I think this year will be part of the “rebuild” that Herm Edwards is quietly going through as he looks to fully bring in all of his recruits. The 2019 season may not be the best for ASU but I think there is a lot of hope for that team but I would say realistically, that hope is for the 2020 season.
What are your thoughts and expectations for the Sun Devils this year?
Written by Tyler Pastorius
