(Pac12) The Sun Devils play on grass at Frank Kush Field in Sun Devil Stadium (seating capacity of 71,706).
- In his first season coaching the Sun Devils, head coach Todd Graham brings a fresh perspective to a team that closed last season with a 5-game losing streak and tied for 3rd place in the Pac12. His 49-29 win/loss record (over 6 college seasons) and his ‘win at all costs’ mentality are being touted by ASU fans as a necessary change for the football team of one of the largest public institutions in the nation.
- Height has its advantages. After being the first quarterback at ASU to throw for over 4000 yards in a single season (and also the tallest), 6’7” junior Brock Osweiler was drafted in round two by the Denver Broncos. His departure set the stage for the ongoing battle for the starting spot in the 2012 season. While sophomores Mike Bercovici, Taylor Kelly, and redshirt-freshman Michael Eubanks will all be taking snaps in preseason practices, Todd Graham has admitted Bercovici’s experience as a back-up last season is advantageous for his chances (although no final decisions have been made).
- Although the 2011 Sun Devil offense was stacked with record breakers, it wasn’t enough to keep the team from a 6-7 record. With the return of Cameron Marshall (who ran for 1050 yards in 2011), and a new offensive line coach in Bob Connelly, Sun Devil fans hope for an improvement in offensive performance (especially on the road, as the Sun Devils have gone 5-16 in away games for the previous four seasons).
Running Back Cameron Marshall
- Todd Graham has a strong history in defensive maneuvering, and he’ll be changing the Sun Devil defense toward a more attacking style in a 3-3-5 defensive system (utilizing two hybrid positions, the Devilbacker and the ‘spur’ defender). Both positions will be utilized to increase the versatility of the defense in responding to changing conditions on the field. Not only will there be a new system, but also new personnel as only 4 starters return on defense and the top 6 tacklers from 2011 are gone.
- Aside from the on-the-field changes implemented by Todd Graham, he’s making drastic changes to the team culture. During practice, team meetings, and hours spent in the on-campus athletic center, Todd Graham is demanding behavior in his team that reflects dedication and a lack of distraction (no headphones or hats are allowed in the athletic center, and a game-day mentality is maintained at all preseason scrimmages). Todd Graham is also working closely with ASU Athletic Director Steve Patterson to increase the visibility and integration of Sun Devil football to the university as a whole, as well as resurrecting the long-held tradition of preseason practices at Camp Tontozona.
- The 2012-2013 Sun Devil schedule starts and ends with in-state competitors, as the NAU Lumberjacks travel to Tempe for the first game of the season, and the Sun Devils travel to Tucson in November to end the season against the University of Arizona Wildcats in the annual (and much anticipated) Territorial Cup. Five of their 12 games will be televised, and six will be played on home turf at Frank Kush Field. The first three games will be against non-conference opponents, before the Sun Devils kick it off in Pac-12 competition for the remainder of the season.
