Is Osweiler ready to lead ASU?

For the fourth straight season, the Arizona State Sun Devils football team will begin the year with a new starting quarterback.

Rudy Carpenter, Danny Sullivan, Steven Threet and now Brock Osweiler.

Whether or not Osweiler is ready to be the undisputed starter remains to be seen.

The junior quarterback has started two games in the past, but is yet to experience the pressures of being the full-time starter.

If the expectations that come with being a starting quarterback in the Pac-12 are not enough, Osweiler will also be the leader of the Pac-12 South favorites and of a team trying to reach their first bowl game in three years.

Osweiler's play could also have a direct impact on the future of Dennis Erickson in Tempe.

The former basketball recruit will have a lot on the line this season, but if history is any indication, Sun Devil fans should relax as Osweiler does not seem like the type of player to wilt under scrutiny and high expectations.

Osweiler played the majority of the UCLA game and impressed all by throwing for 380 yards and four touchdowns. He certainly showed his promise and made all Sun Devil fans believe he was the quarterback of the future.

With Threet recovering from a concussion and momentum in the Osweiler camp, Osweiler was named the starter for the regular season finale on the road against UA.

While Osweiler's numbers were less than spectacular, he showed a few more qualities that fans, teammates and coaches love to see in a quarterback: grittiness and the ability to lead.

Despite only completing 222 of 49 passes, Osweiler showed his competitive fire as he did everything in his power to will his team to victory.

Even when he was unable to complete passes, the young quarterback never gave up and never stopped encouraging his team.

Towards the end of the game, his emotion was on display as he gathered the team in a huddle and pumped everyone up, letting everyone know they were going to win the game and cementing his place among the team's leaders.

Osweiler showed he has the courage and the ability to rally a team, command respect, and will a team to victory for one game. However, a true leader needs to be able to do these things at all times.

While there have been no signs to suggest that he is not ready for his new role, Osweiler will truly be tested once the season begins.