Last Saturday, I was in Chicago for the Wisconsin NIU Game and who do I see but a group of Arizona State fans wondering down Jackson street — probably headed to Union Station / AMTRAK and on to Champaign. I tried to warn then about the Illini’s QB Nate Scheelhaase and their running game led by Jason Ford & Josh Ferguson, a youngster from my home town of Joliet. They Laughed! Oh well… never a prophet in your own land and all that jazz! A few hours later and after a 17-14 loss to Illinois, they may have been more impressed by the Illini defense. Either way…I did my civic duty while in the city! I’m sure the boys from the desert had plenty to drink on the way home!!
Now we begin as USC comes to Tempe this week & ASU season hinges on a win today. The Sun Devils play back to back games against Utah (17-14 losers to SC in the coliseum) & Oregon on October 8 & 15… both games are road trips for State, ASU’s QB Brock Osweiler is 6′ 8″ and throws lasers and runs like is 5′ 8″. This guy is flat out fun to watch. He has completed 66% of his passes for 871 yards and has thrown 6 TD’s to 3 INT. His leading target is 5′ 10″ WR Aaron Pflugrad, who has 18 receptions for 305 yards and 4 TD’s. Meanwhile Southern Cal has a terrific QB of their own, Matt Barkley, who has completed 69% of his passes for 891 yards and has fired 9 TD’s to 1 pick! Brakley’s WR of choice is 6’1″ Robert Woods, 33 receptions for 361 yards and 4 TD’s. Neither team has been able to run the ball effectively, this is especially surprising of USC given their history of great tailbacks.
On Defense; ASU’s LB Vontaze Burfict is one of the most aggressive players in the land. His motor is always running and he is currently ranked 3rd nationally in Sacks. USC has held all 3 opponents to 17 or less points and each one of these teams have been from a FBS AQ Conference. Sorry Brock… SC finds away!!
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