ASU Football: Pac-12 Media Day recap

(Photo: Alli Cline/WCSN)

 

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham, redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici and redshirt senior Jordan Simone represented the Sun Devils at Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles, California. Pictures were taken, interviews were given and statements were quoted.

The Depth Chart

The depth chart was technically released before media day took place, but it still something to be discussed. Surprises were few, but the most notable position battle is at devilbacker.

The majority reps at the position during spring practices were taken by redshirt freshman Ismael Murphy-Richardson and redshirt sophomore Alani Latu, who now sit third and fourth on the depth chart respectively.

Redshirt junior Edmond Boateng sitting on top isn’t necessarily a surprise given that he was the first team devil last season, but the chart was debatably unexpected for two reasons. First, Boateng was much improved playing from the 5-technique during the spring, and secondly, sophomore running back Kalen Ballage sits as the second-string devil.

All things considered, this is only the depth chart going into fall camp, but if head coach Todd Graham and his staff are seriously considering Ballage as a two-way player, that makes for a lot of creative pass rushing packages if the 6-foot-3 running back can improve upon the few reps he got on defense last spring.

Arizona State lands at No. 16 in the USA Today coaches poll

As expected, ASU landed inside the top-20. More importantly, four of ASU’s opponents are ranked as well (No. 5 Oregon, No. 10 USC, No. 14 UCLA and No. 22 Arizona). Texas A&M, Utah and Washington each received votes as well.

In all, seven of ASU’s 12 scheduled games will be against teams currently in the top-60 teams in the country. Part of that speaks to the strength of the Pac-12, and having a stronger strength of schedule is hardly ever a bad thing as long as a team can survive it.

Pac-12 media poll

Despite landing two spots behind UCLA in the USA Today coaches poll, the Pac-12 media picked ASU to finish second in the South behind USC.

I can’t imagine a big gap between the Trojans and Sun Devils, and given that both teams lost little of anything in the last season, the game between the two in Tempe on September 26 will be pivotal.

Favorite quote/moment

In a tweet from azcentral’s Doug Haller, Mike Bercovici told the Salt Lake Tribune that he buys ASU’s offensive line In-n-Out every Friday. This has almost nothing to do with football, but treating the guys who protect you well is as good as anything for a quarterback.

You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com

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