Monday, August 20, 2012

NAU-ASU Part II

Like Arizona, the Sun Devils had a recent scrimmage at Camp Tontozona.  Rashad Ross stood out in that scrimmage.  That will happen when you have five catches for 193 yards and three TDs.  At QB,  Kelly has been slated to start against NAU but one writer said that since ASU will endure some growing pains this year, why not just start Eubank?  If you know my background from being a CU fan in the old Big 8 and Big 12, I prefer dual threat type QBs to keep opposing defenses honest and that is how I build my videogame college football teams.  Eubank is more of the big play type of QB with his feet, Kelly is a QB that won't make mistakes, and Bercovici is still making mistakes in camp so I think Eubank is the second QB that the Sun Devil coaches want to use.  Another bonus for Eubank is that he was also recruited by Graham when Graham was still at Pittsburgh.  In my honest opinion, the Sun Devils need to build for the future because the Pac-12 South will still be in a state of flux for sometime just like the Big 12 South was in a state of flux in the early days of that conference.  So the Sun Devils just should go with Eubank and build for the future.  Even the Sun Devil coaches said that Eubank throws the best deep ball.

ASU's improved LB corps look to improve on last season despite the departure of Burfict.  Magee has been mentioned on my All 4CSports Blog Team for a reason.  The secondary in some Fox Sports Arizona videos appeared to me that they need some work due to the big day by Ross.  This could be an issue against NAU's experienced QB perhaps for a half until Graham yells at the secondary at halftime...remember he claimed to be under the weather but perhaps he was yelling quite a bit.

NAU's defense forced four turnovers in their recent scrimmage amd they were of the fumble variety.  The kickers also went 7-8 on the day as well.  Perhaps they are a little underrated in the Big Sky?  The 'Jacks had some penalty issues but what team doesn't have that issue in fall camp?

Camp Tontozona holds a special place in ASU history.  Given today's wired world of Facebook, Twitter, the Internet, etc; it is a great place to get away from modern technology and build bonds with your teammates.  This goes back to the Kush days when the Sun Devils ran roughshod over the WAC before the 1978 move to the then PAC-8.  I think I will keep a closer eye on this squad since I think this could be a winning team this year if the players buy into what Coach Graham is trying to do.  People can bag on him all they want about his untimely departure from Pitt but the man can coach based on his experience at Rice and Tulsa, two of the smallest FBS schools out there.  With the resources and potential that ASU offers, Coach Graham could build a powerhouse football team if he does away with his nomadic ways but a 6-6 record may be the best ASU can do this season.  We'll see.

On a personal note, I was considering going to ASU myself out of high school...maybe it's not too late to become a fan of that school...LOL.  But I like what Coach Graham is doing at ASU...he's a good coach regardless of how the hiring process went (remember the June Jones mess?).

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