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Expectations heating up for Sun Devils By Ted Miller Special to ESPN.com |
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Arizona State Sun Devils
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Coach: Dirk Koetter (12-13, 3rd season) 2002 overall record: 8-6 Conference record: 5-3 Returning starters Offense: 9 Defense: 7 Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Cornell Canidate* (493 yds) Passing: Andrew Walter* (3,877 yds) Receiving: Shaun McDonald (1,405 yds) Tackles: Jason Shivers* (121) Sacks: Terrell Suggs (24) Interceptions: Brett Hudson* and R.J. Oliver* (4 each) Outlook: What a difference a year makes. Before last season, fans already were grumbling about coach Dirk Koetter, and his young team was picked to finish ninth in the Pac-10. Now, after an 8-6 season and nearly beating Kansas State in the Holiday Bowl, the Sun Devils are expected to compete for the Pac-10 title, even though their two best players, defensive end Terrell Suggs and receiver Shaun McDonald are in the NFL. That's what 17 returning starters will do for expectations, particularly when that crew includes quarterback Andrew Walter, who threw for a school record 3,877 yards with 28 touchdowns, despite not taking over as the starter until the season's fifth game. All 10 offensive lineman from last year's two-deep are back, which bodes well for a running game that struggled last year. Tailbacks Mike Williams and Cornell Canidate and receivers Daryl Lightfoot, Skyler Fulton and Derek Hagen round out a solid, if unspectacular, lineup at the skill positions. Suggs and his 24 sacks will have to be replaced. Nick Johnson will battle touted freshman Kyle Caldwell for the opportunity, though Johnson's recent arrested on misdemeanor counts of assault could end he competition before it begins. The top three linebackers in the Sun Devils 4-2-5 defense departed, but the secondary returns intact. Jason Shivers, who led the defense with 121 tackles last year, and Riccardo Stewart form perhaps the best safety tandem in the conference. The schedule is fairly forgiving, particularly with Washington not on the slate. Two tough non-conference road games, Iowa and North Carolina, are winnable and USC must visit Tempe. Key game: Pac-10 media picked USC and Arizona State one-two in the annual preseason conference poll. The Trojans visit Sun Devils Stadium on Oct. 4. 'Nuff said. Keep an eye on: The tailback spot. Walter could become a Heisman Trophy candidate but he's going to need a little help from the running game. Williams and Canidate are solid backs, but Hakim Hill, who is returning from a suspension for team rules violations, is the most talented of the bunch. It's a good year if. . .: The Sun Devils are competing for the conference crown. They don't have to win it, but they need to improve on last year's surprising season and announce their presence within the conference elite. Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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