TEMPE, Ariz. — Every college football season comes with expectations: a team’s strengths and weaknesses, who should contribute, who should not. But once the season kicks off, none of that matters anymore. All that does is what happens on the field.
Arizona State (2-1) enters Pac-12 play with more questions than answers. Even so, we have a better idea of how the Sun Devils stack up, and how they might fare over the rest of the season. As they prepare for Saturday night’s home game against Colorado, let’s hit reset and examine how those preseason expectations are holding up.
The running game would be a strength
True. Even with DeaMonte Trayanum missing two of the first three games with a foot injury, Arizona State has flexed a strong ground game. The Sun Devils average 226.3 rushing yards per game, which leads the Pac-12 and ranks 18th nationally. Lead back Rachaad White (219 yards) averages 5 yards per carry and has scored five touchdowns. With Trayanum out against BYU, Daniyel Ngata rushed eight times for 82 yards in limited action. The blocking up front and on the perimeter has been good. No question, the run game has been as good as advertised.
The passing game would be a concern
True. Jayden Daniels ran for 125 yards in the Week 2 win over UNLV, the fourth most for a quarterback in school history.
