ASU Football: Despite its sub-.500 record, Todd Graham believes UW poses a greater challenge than WSU did a week ago

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

Although Arizona State is coming off a 14-point loss to Washington State, head coach Todd Graham says an even taller task stands in the way of the Sun Devils’ quest for bowl eligibility this weekend.

Despite a 4-5 record, Washington has wins against USC and a 46-point shellacking of Arizona on its record.

“This team we’re playing, I think, is better than the team we played last week,” Graham said. “I think they’re better defensively. I think they’re better – not better as far as coaching – but just schematics of what they do is difficult.”

Both ASU and Washington are coming off losses last weekend, and more than identical records, the way the Huskies have lost games mirrors the Sun Devils in several ways, according to Graham.

“The things that have beat us have beaten them,” Graham said. “They turned the ball over last week. That cost them.”

Washington lost three fumbles and one interception against Utah in its 34-23 loss to the Utes, and the Huskies’ 16 turnovers are only bested by ASU (17) and California (20) this season. Turnover margin has plagued the Sun Devils for the majority of the season, and that is amplified by the uncharacteristically low number of turnovers they are forcing.

“We need to go put it together,” Graham said. “I’d like for us to have 100 percent ball security for the first time.”

Frustration continues to mount

The trend of staying competitive in games until the fourth quarter has been unsettling for a team that prides itself on discipline and character, and while those traits remain consistent, losing games in the fourth quarter is a nuisance.

“They’re like me,” Graham said. “I’m tired of losing close games.”

The team talks about minimizing “critical errors” on both sides of the ball, whether that be taking care of the ball or staying within assignments, but it has yet to put a complete game together when it has needed it most.

“We’re not playing undisciplined. We’re not not giving effort. Our guys are giving effort,” Graham said. “We’re a good team. You just got to do it 100 percent of the time, not 94 or 93 (percent of the time), so that’s where we got to put that together.”

For redshirt senior cornerback Lloyd Carrington, the mindset is the same as always heading into Saturday’s bout with Washington.

“Our main job it to basically play within the scheme of the defense and execute at the top of the routes,” he said.

With three games (four if ASU earns a bowl bid) remaining in Carrington’s Sun Devil career, he is looking to make the most of his expiring time in Tempe. Although his focus is on the day-to-day and even the week-to-week, the Dallas native was well-aware of his morphing attitude before the season even got going.

“My goals just during the offseason this year were to come in and just enjoy the moment, live every moment out to the fullest, on the field, off the field, with my teammates, with the coaches, just everyone,” Carrington said.

Practice notes

– Redshirt senior Devilbacker Antonio Longino was in a green no-contact jersey today and did not practice. Graham said if Longino does not practice Wednesday, Longino will be “doubtful” for Saturday.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com

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