The pressure is on for Dennis Erickson to deliver a winning season after three-straight campaigns that didn't result in bowl trips. He should, however, be able to lead Arizona State back to a bowl this year.
My optimism stems from a near-breakthrough year last season. The Sun Devils went 6-6 in 2010 but could have potentially gone 10-2. Losses to Wisconsin, Oregon State, USC and Stanford all came by four points or less.
Offense: Arizona State brings back six starters from an offensive unit that finished third in the Pac-10 in scoring and fifth in total offense last season. The team posted averages of 32.3 points and 425.7 yards per game.
Led by quarterback Steven Threet, the Sun Devils made most of their noise through the air. They finished second in the conference with 286.4 passing yards per game.
They will have to rely on their ground attack more in 2011 with Threet making the decision to step away from the game after suffering repeated concussions. Fortunately, ASU has the horses to do so.
With four of five starting offensive lineman back, and a number of talented running backs, the Sun Devils should be able to run the ball effectively. Cameron Marshall will be doing most of the heavy lifting. He rushed for 787 yards and nine touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry last year.
The cupboard isn't bare behind Threet. 6-foot-8 Brock Osweiler has the height to see over the line and the arm strength to stretch the defense. He completed nearly 57.0 percent of his passes for 797 yards and five scores with no interceptions last season.
Osweiler won't have deep threat T.J. Simpson, who tore an ACL in the spring, at his disposal, but he will have returning starter Mike Willie and senior Gerell Robinson. Willie is the team's top returning receiver. He hauled in 36 passes for 442 yards and six touchdowns in 2010, but Robinson looks like he could emerge as the team's No. 1 option through the air.
Defense: ASU also returns six starters from a defensive unit that finished fifth in the league in both scoring and total defense last year with 25.0 points and 364.9 yards allowed per game.
Had tackle Lawrence Guy not left early for the pros and cornerback Omar Bolden not suffered a potential season-ending knee injury, Arizona State could have boasted one of the best stop units in the nation. Despite these key losses, it still features enough talent to boast one of the best units in the conference.
The Sun Devils likely won't lead the league in run defense without Guy, but they should remain in the top quarter with five experienced front-line performers returning. Sophomore end Junior Onyeali, who may not start because of the amount experience up front, has the potential to be one of the best pass rushers in the Pac-12. He made plenty of noise as a freshman with a 6.5-sack campaign.
Middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict is one of the best linebackers in the nation. Look for him to have a monster junior year after coming through with 90 stops in 2010.
In the secondary, cornerback Osahon Irabor and safety Clint Floyd will be asked to pick up the slack in order to float the loss of Bolden.
Prediction: Second Place Pac-12 South - Even though ASU won't have the services of Threet or Guy, and may not have the services of Bolden or Simpson, it still has enough talent to contend for a title in the wide-open Pac-12 South division. College football odds makers have listed Arizona State at +450 to win the Pac-12.
Check out my 2011 Pac-12 predictions to see how I have the rest of the league shaping up.
