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posted July 14, 2008 at 18:06 in NCAA F Free Picks

2007 Record: (10-3, 7-2 Pac 10)
2007 Bowl Game: Holiday Bowl vs. Texas (L 34-52)

Head Coach: Dennis Erickson (10-3 at Arizona State, 158-68-1 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Rich Olson
Defensive Coordinator: Craig Bray

Returning Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Keegan Herring, RB, 815 yards
Passing: Rudy Carpenter, QB, 3,202 yards
Receiving: Chris McGaha, WR 830 yards
Tackles: Travis Goethel, LB, 71
Sacks: Dexter Davis, DE, 10.5
Interceptions: Troy Nolan, S, 6

More Key Returnees: CB Omar Bolden, G Paul Fanaika, WR Michael Jones, G Shawn Lauvao, DT David Smith, DE Luis Vasquez, WR Kyle Williams, LB Morris Wooten

Key Losses: S Josh Barrett, LB Robert James, DT Michael Marquardt, TE Brent Miller, OT Julius Orieukwu, C Mike Pollak, OT Brandon Rodd, RB Ryan Torain, CB Justin Tyron

The Sun Devils went from a six –win season in 2006 to a solid 10-3 mark in 2007 in veteran head coach Dennis Erickson’s first season in the desert ad enter the 2008 season with even higher hopes – like reaching the national title game.

Strengths

The Sun Devils will have an explosive offense led by talented senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter who threw for over 3,200 yards last season despite being sacked a whopping 54 times.

Carpenter will have his two favorite targets from last season in wide receivers Chris McGaha and Michael Jones, while the Sun Devils will rotating a trio of running backs this season in Keegan Herring, Dimitri Nance and Shaun DeWitty, while also returning three starters along the team’s solid defensive line.

Weaknesses

The offensive line was a major problem last season and may be only slightly improved in 2008 and the Sun Devils also need to replace starting defensive backs, Justin Tyron, (cornerback) and Josh Barrett, (safety).

2007 Team Stats

Offense

Rushing: 137.00 (77th in nation, 7th in conference)
Passing: 262.62 (34, 3)
Total Offense: 399.62 (56, 5)
Points Per Game: 32.31 (37, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 4.23 (117, 10)

Defense

Rushing: 116.23 (21, 4)
Pass: 228.92 (61, 3)
Total Defense: 345.15 (30, 4)
Points Allowed Per Game: 22.54 (31, 3)
Turnover Margin: .23 (38, 3)
Sacks: 2.23 (49, 9)

2007 Wagering Stats
10-3 SU, 7-2 (Conf.), 6-7 ATS, 4-9 O/U

2008 NCAA Football Odds
+400 to win Pac-10
+4000 to win BCS Championship

2008 Analysis

The Sun Devils have a much tougher schedule this season than in 2007 and will be hard-pressed to equal their record of a season ago. BetUS online NCAA college football bettors can expect this team to contend for the Pac-10 and national titles, though their schedule will make accomplishing both of those tasks very difficult in 2008.

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