Arizona State got the early season mojo they needed against the Lumberjacks last week to build themselves up going into the new year. Expectations from last year no longer exist, but the capability to be involved in the Pac-12 race are just as real this year. Going against Texas Tech however, there may be risk that another Texas team dashes those hopes before they can really begin.
Air Raid Sirens Sounding
The sound of an air raid siren would be more appropriate for fans to bring rather than fog horns or thundersticks. The Red Raiders have one of the deepest passing games in the game of college football today. The team regularly goes with four wideouts it seems on any given Saturday and after last year’s success it likely won’t stop. The FBS saw Texas Tech rank at second in points, passing yards and total yards just last year and Patrick Mahomes has returned to continue the trend of the Texas Tech attack. Mahomes has even come in as a potential Heisman candidate if he has remotely the same kind of year, and he could have a field day with ASU’s defense. ASU gave up the most passing yards in the Pac-12 last season and while NAU has a great passing attack, the talent level drastically changes between FCS and FBS schools. Todd Graham has always been proud of how fast his defense is, he may need to have them flying this game to keep up with the Raiders.
Starters Returning For Sparky
The Sun Devils started their year against NAU without a few key players to say the least. Defensive lineman Ami Latu will be back according to reports and he will be joining up with redshirt sophomore Renell Wren who had himself an afternoon with two tackles in the backfield in relief of the senior. That knowledge of the game that Latu brings in with his three years prior in the system will allow other younger players like Wren and redshirt freshman George Lea to know when to look for quick bubble screens and other quick snaps that Texas Tech likes to run to get the passing game into a rhythm. The big thing will be getting into the backfield and trying to get Mahomes off his regular balance and chasing him and the receivers from sideline to sideline. With the size of the Raiders’ offensive line, which is gigantic, the boys in the trenches will need to get off their blocks quickly to make an impact in the contest.
Wilkins Looking To Throw, Not Hurdle
Manny Wilkins impressed a lot of people last week with his athleticism rather than his accuracy at the quarterback position in his debut last weekend. Wilkins hurdled a defender in a fashion that many great Olympic athletes would blush at. That however, isn’t what Todd Graham put him on the field to do. His 180 passing yards throughout the game did not leave many Sun Devil fans confident that he would be the one leading the offense into the next era and if you add the interception he threw, the worry is multiplied into utter panic. If Wilkins starts out slow again against Texas Tech, the quarterback competition might open itself back up. Texas Tech was one of the worst defense’s last year when looking at point and yard statistics. This is a confidence building game for Wilkins, but if he drops the ball here no amount of hurdling will get the fans on his side.
Prediction: ASU 26 – Texas Tech 31
The game will be played in Tempe this Saturday, September the 10th, at 7 PM Arizona time on FOX Sports 1.