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After following up a 3-9 season in Herm Edwards’ final year with another 3-9 mark in 2023, Kenny Dillingham is hoping to see some positive signs in his program in Year 2.
Unfortunately, Year 2 brings a move to the Big 12 and, with it, one of the most difficult schedules in the conference with games against Kansas, Utah, Oklahoma State, UCF, Kansas State, and Arizona.
There’s confidence that Dillingham is the right guy for the job in Tempe, AZ, but the combination of a tough schedule and total roster annihilation via the transfer portal could prove tough for the Sun Devils to overcome in 2024.
But if the games were played on paper, there wouldn’t be a need to take the field, and with impressive performances against Washington and UCLA last year, there’s reason to believe that ASU could be better than expected this year.
Here’s an overview of the Sun Devils heading into their inaugural year in the Big 12 and what you should expect from them once the season gets underway.
Sep 9, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsArizona State Offense: The Name to Know is Skattebo
While the loss of Jaden Rashada is going to be what steals the headlines leading into the 2024 season, the return of senior running back Cam Skattebo is something that Sun Devil fans should be ecstatic about. A physical, downhill runner, Skattebo is the definition of a “football guy.”
In the upset win over UCLA, Skattebo threw a 25-yard touchdown while playing some Wildcat quarterback and then put the game out of reach with a 17-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. According to his bio on Arizona State’s website, Skattebo was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award (nation’s most versatile player) after, recording over 50 snaps at quarterback, over 350 at running back, two at tight end, over 100 as either a slot receiver or wide wide receiver, three on kick return and over five on punt coverage in 2023.
At quarterback, Sam Leavitt earned the right to be named as the starter in the spring (over Rashada) and has a chance to be a real difference-maker for the Sun Devils if the offensive line can keep him upright. Luckily, the unit looks better — and much healthier — led by Leif Fautanu at center. With intriguing pieces like Chamon Metayer, Alton McCaskill, and Raleek Brown coming into the fold this year, there is a bit of mystery surrounding this offense. If it all comes together, this should be the best unit on the team.
Related: Kenny Dillingham: ‘I Want Kids Who Want to Be Here’ 
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Shamari Simmons (7) tackles Arizona Wildcats running back Rayshon Luke (21) in the first half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsArizona State Defense: A Strong Safety Group
Undoubtedly, the best part of the Arizona State defense entering the 2024 season will be the very back end. Junior safety Kamari Wilson, who transferred from Florida this offseason, has a future at the professional level and is arguably the best player on the team. He’ll join a room that already has excellent pieces in place with leading tackler Shamari Simmons abnd Xavion Alford both back for another year.
There were so many injuries last season for this team, so a lot of the names on the defensive side of the ball will be new. Tate Romney and Caleb McCullough look like the starting linebackers after seeing the field last season due to injuries ahead of them, while new faces like Zyrus Fiaseu should factor in as well.
The defensive line was an issue last season, and it looks like it could be again in 2024 unless some unproven commodities show up in a big way. With a lot of new faces on that side of the ball, ASU is hoping that the only way from here is up.
Arizona Special Teams: It Can Only Go Up
Arizona State was one of the worst special teams’ units in the country last season, but hopes some new faces can help turn things around there. Ohio State transfer kicker Parker Lewis has potential, going 26-35 (L/52) on field goals and 46-47 on PATs in his first two seasons (at USC). Freshman punter Kanyon Floyd was one of the best prospects in the country at his position and should help immediately.
Prediction: Sun Devils Stumble to 4-8, But Find Hope in the Margins
After back-to-back 3-9 campaigns, a one-game improvement isn’t what ASU fans are hoping to see in a new league. However, the Sun Devils weren’t done any favors when they landed trips to Lubbock, Stillwater, Manhattan, and Tuscon in 2024. Add to that home tilts against Kansas, Utah, UCF, and BYU and you’ve got one of the toughest draws in the conference.
However, I fully believe that Dillingham is the right man for the job at Arizona State, and when the dust settles on this season, we’re going to look back at this season and see that ASU is on the cusp of getting over the hump. It might not happen in Year 2, but this staff will find some success and have itself in a couple of games that it probably should be in.
Related: Predicting Every Game of the 2024 Big 12 Football Season 
Source link : https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2024/07/29/arizona-state-football-2024-season-preview-and-prediction/
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Publish date : 2024-07-29 14:36:46
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