Three Reasons to Watch the Sun Devils’ Stretch Run
Arizona State’s football season will not end in Pasadena or even in El Paso. But we’re still looking forward to the Sun Devils’ stretch run for three simple reasons—and one of them has to do with making Mike Stoops hide his face in shame.
The future seemed so bright just 12 weeks ago. The Arizona State football team was ranked 15th in the country and coming off a 41-17 thrashing of Stanford. Then came the unthinkable.
Our high hopes have faded and now we’re left with a simple question: Is this difficult football season redeemable? We think so. Here are three reasons we think the Sun Devils’ stretch run is worth watching.
1. The Kids are Alright
ASU is playing 10 true freshmen and redshirting 11 others who apparently look very good. The group includes a game-changing defensive lineman in Lawrence Guy, a starting safety in Clint Floyd and a plethora of promising offensive linemen. Recruiting coordinator Matt Lubick told the Arizona Republic that this year’s freshman class is “something special” and maybe as special as Dennis Erickson’s Miami teams.
2. Poinsettias aren’t Roses, But …
It won’t be the Rose. Hell, it won’t even be the Sun. But at least it’s one more game and one more chance to salute 15 seniors who’ve provided us all with some pretty great memories the last few years. Besides, would you really want to be deprived of one last chance to let Rudy Carpenter know how you feel about him?
3. Be Quiet Down There!
There’s been a lot of chirping down South this year. If we win out, we’ll tie Arizona with a 6-6 record and send them into their first bowl in 10 years on a three-game skid. Since UA’s Nic Grigsby said the Pac-10 was “going to see we’re no joke” back in September, the Wildcats have won just two of six games. Let’s make it two of seven.
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
Why are you planning to sit through ASU’s last two games? Or are you already moving on to basketball season? Let us know in the comments below.
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Totally agree. The Cats have failed to win any of their close games this year. Not only that, but the ASU game is always a tossup. I see ASU potentially winning out and potentially keeping Arizona out of a bowl game. I mean think about it. If ASU is 6-6 and the Cats are 6-6, who do you think the bowls are going to want more? The team that crashed and burned or the team that came back from the dead? I chose the latter. Sorry Cats fans, but you have to beat ASU or risk losing out your bowl altogether….
U of A is assured of a bowl berth, Matt. The Pac-10 has 7 bowl tie-ins, and Washington, Washington State and the loser of Friday’s ASU-UCLA matchup will finish the season with a losing record.
However, a loss to finish the season will put a huge damper on what was supposedly a “huge season” for the Cats. Will a bowl berth and a second-half collapse (and a forthcoming hoops coaching search) be enough to save Mr. Stoops his job, if not some face? Time will tell.
UA is a better bowl pick because the go so rarely that some bowl will know they will travel better. And as I heard earlier this year, this may be a blessing in disguise for Sun Devil fans as it’s just enough winning for Stoops to keep his job.
All of these are excellent points, and hardcore fans will watch the last two games for these specific reasons. One other aspect that combines points 1 and 2 is…If we go to bowl, not only do fans get to watch another game, but the team gets something like 15 more organized practices, every one of which is invaluable to a team with 10 true freshmen and 11 redshirting freshmen with promise.
On a side note, I think one reason ASU is 4-6 is because Erickson was kinda selfish and chose to play so many of his recruits, regardless of their lack of experience. But there is no turning back now.
One final comment about Matt’s post regarding some fans possibly looking past the end of football season for basketball — I personally wouldn’t bypass a single football game for hoops even ASU was 0-11 and basketball was preseason No. 1….but that’s just me.
Drexel, great point about the extra practices. If I were Tony Realli I would’ve just given a bunch of points and muted Woody Paige and Jay Mariotti.
@ SplishSplash, Now you can score the argument Tony Riali style. Thanks to the new “rate this comment” feature under each entry.
Comment well and you could earn a spot on the Red Carpet to the left. Comment poorly and we’re driving you south on I-10 and we ain’t stopping in Eloy!
The other day, driving on the 101, I saw Rudy run over a kitten and laugh.