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Arizona State 2018 Schedule
UTSA (Sept. 1) - Read
Michigan State (Sept. 8) - Read
At San Diego State (Sept. 15) - Read
At Washington (Sept. 22) - Read
Oregon State (Sept. 29) - Read
At Colorado (Oct. 6) - Read
Stanford (Oct. 18)
At USC (Oct. 27)
Utah (Nov. 3)
UCLA (Nov. 10)
At Oregon (Nov. 17)
At Arizona (Nov. 24)
Stanfords’s 2017 Season
Stanford didn’t get off strong with a 1-2 start with losses to USC and San Diego State. They then went on to finish the regular season winning eight of their last nine. Taking the North division they fell to USC again in the Pac-12 title game and followed that with a loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl.
Key Returners
RB Bryce Love - The Sun Devils are probably still having nightmares about Love after last September. Love set the school record for rushing yards in a game against ASU with 301 yards. The Heisman favorite decided to return to school after picking up 2118 rushing yards to finish second in all of NCAA Division I.
80% percent of the offensive line - Love’s best friends all return except for left guard David Bright. Left tackle Walker Little and last year’s right guard Nate Herbig, who will flip into Bright’s spot, will be the driving force once again for Love. And they’ll have a large part in if he’ll be the next Heisman Trophy winner.
Key Departures
DT Harrison Phillips - The third round pick of the Buffalo Bills this past April leaves the Cardinal with a massive hole. Phillips even as a defensive linemen led Stanford in total tackles with 98. He also had the most sacks with seven and tackles for a loss with 17.5.
S Justin Reid - Reid finished second behind Phillips with 94 tackles. The Houston Texans’ third round pick, led the team with five interceptions and that put him tied for first in the conference.
Why ASU has the edge
The Stanford defense doesn’t have its playmakers from last year. For an offense that returns most of its tools with the addition of a few explosive transfers, the Sun Devils may have an opportunity to score a lot of points. However, winning the trenches will be the biggest thing for the Sun Devils to have a chance. Another helper is the game occurs on a Thursday giving the Cardinal a short road week.
Why ASU is at a disadvantage
Remember that thing about Bryce Love. He run for that long touchdown against ASU last year. And that other one. And that last one too. 301 yards is a lot for one person and the Sun Devils need to do everything to forget that day. If he gets close to that number again it’ll be another long day in Tempe.