Arizona & Arizona State
Pac 12 South – The Desert can be a very tricky place to play depending on the weather and the time of year. Both Arizona & Arizona State play in college towns with great student fans support. Last season both teams reached a post season bowl, Boise State made a late defensive stand to hold off Arizona 38-30 in the Fiesta Bowl. While Arizona State outlasts Duke in Sun Bowl 36-31.
2015-2016
Arizona
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez is back for his fourth season at the helm in Tucson with a record of 26-14 in 3 seasons.
The Wildcats return 14 starters from last year team 6 offensive, 6 defensive, punter & kicker. Players to watch QB Anu Solomon who lead the nation’s freshman with 3,793 passing yards. RB Nick Wilson emerged as true freshman as their primary back rushing for 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns. WR Cayleb Jones a former five-star recruit had 73 catches, 1,019 yards, 9 touchdowns. This trio of players will allow for Arizona to be a strong threat. On Defensive LB Scoby Wright had one of the greatest defensive season in school history 163 tackles, 29 for loss, 14 sacks & 6 forced fumbles. Safety Will Parks will be the leader of the secondary that is rebuilding itself looking toward converted WR Davonte’ Neal to turn into ball hog. New comers will add depth on offensive line with #8 ranked recruiting class in the conference.
This is still a rising program that will hope to hang in games late and then steal a few wins while they continue to mature as a program. Prediction: 4th in Pac 12 South, Sun Bowl.
Arizona State
Head Coach Todd Graham is back for his fourth season in Tempe with a record of 28-12 in 3 seasons.
The Sun Devils return 17 starters from last year team 6 offensive, 9 defensive, punter & kicker. Players to watch WR D.J. Foster who moved from RB to allow from him to shred defensives more in open space. QB Mike Bercovici is a senior will be starter with some veteran leadership and top wins defeating Stanford & USC will called on due to injury. ASU expects this offensive to be in top 20 in scoring in nation like his past three teams did. On Defensive with the 9 returners, and maybe Graham top linebacker crew. In the secondary flashes of greatness from Corner Lloyd Carrington and Jordan Simone that could be both all conference selections. Just as its hot in Tempe so does the pocket for opposing QB, expect more blitz and pressure because multiple players can handle zero (man to man) coverage. Sun Devils incoming freshman will have some time watch and grow so the program will be greatly impacted in near future. One local recruit athlete Stanley Norman will look to be a star quick from Serra High School / Culver City HS.
The Sun Devils have posted back to back 10 win seasons but they will find out quickly that the Pac 12 is tough place to play. Starting off with USC, then UCLA to open their conference schedule make it journey to rise to the top. Prediction: 3rd in Pac 12 South, Foster Farms Bowl.
Stay Tune Next Outlook will be Pac 12 North, Washington & Washington State.
