| UCLA vs. Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 2, at Tempe, Ariz. Last
season was supposed to be Arizona State’s big year, but the Sun Devils never got
untracked. UCLA started the year 10-0 before losing to Miami (Fla.) and may have had the
best offensive football team in America. The Bruins scored at least 28 points in all 12 of
their games, and their two losses were a 49-45 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes and a
38-31 loss to Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Obviously, with a decent defense, the Bruins
would have been 12-0. This year UCLA is stronger on defense but no longer has QB Cade
McNown or OLT Kris Farris. On the other hand, Arizona State returns its best player,
all-purpose RB J.R. Redmond; best quarterback, Ryan Kealy; best offensive lineman, Marvel
Smith; and best defensive lineman, Junior Ioane.
Playing at home is a big advantage for the Sun Devils, who spend the next two weeks on
the road vs. Notre Dame and Washington. If the Sun Devils can beat both the Bruins and
Huskies, they should be legitimate Rose Bowl contenders, and their November games at USC
and at home vs. Arizona could be very important. However, the Sun Devils lost to New
Mexico State by four touchdowns in their second game, one they were supposed to win
by four scores. Arizona State is the second of eight straight conference foes UCLA faces
after opening with Boise State, a trip to Ohio State and Fresno State.
Quarterbacks — Kealy played very well as a freshman but struggled
at times last season when he was coming off major knee repairs. He had his knee scoped
early this year but should be OK, although he did not play well nine days after surgery in
Arizona State’s shocking loss to New Mexico State. UCLA’s opening-day starter
was junior Drew Bennett, but redshirt freshman Cory Paus beat him out after throwing the
ball better in the first two games. After starting well in Game Three, Paus was injured
and replaced by Bennett, who also played well in that game. Edge: Arizona State.
Running backs — In Redmond, the Sun Devils could have the best
all-purpose back in the country. Redmond is not a little all-purpose back, and he has the
strength to break tackles (as he showed in the Texas Tech game). He also has subtle but
effective moves and the soft hands of a receiver. The Bruins are also strong in this area,
but they operate by committee, with sophomore DeShaun Foster heading the group. Durell
Price is an underrated fullback who catches the ball nicely. Edge: Even.
Receivers — Arizona State feels its tight ends are second to
none, while the Bruins felt they had the best WR trio in the country until Brian
Poli-Dixon broke his wrist. Bruins WR Danny Farmer has great size, athleticism and stamina
and is just as fast as he needs to be. He is one of the best all-around athletes around
and just loves to compete. Before the injury, Poli-Dixon was often compared to former
Bruins wideout J.J. Stokes. Sophomore Freddie Mitchell is the game-breaker who showed
great promise before breaking his leg in the second game of last season. He now must step
up with Poli-Dixon out. Before his injury, Mitchell may have been the best pure athlete on
a very athletic UCLA team. In sophomore Todd Heap, Arizona State has the best
pass-catching tight end on the West Coast. Heap is a very athletic player with great
hand-eye coordination who makes some fine adjustments to the ball. Fellow TE Kendrick
Bates was considered an All-Pacific-10 candidate before Heap stole his thunder and will
play a lot in two-TE sets. Outside, the Sun Devils are young, athletic and developing. Edge:
UCLA.
Offensive linemen — Last season UCLA’s Ferris was considered
the best left tackle in the Pacific-10. Now that Farris is in the NFL, the honor could go
to Arizona State’s Smith. He must stay focused and keep working to finish his blocks
and show he has the meanness and tenacity to be a great one. UCLA has a young but talented
line that will really be tested by Arizona State’s front four. Edge: Arizona
State.
Defensive linemen — Arizona State’s Ioane is one of the best
defensive tackles in the country. He is a dominating inside player who can come off blocks
and make plays. He is also quick for a big man and has natural power and strength.
Undersized but lightning-quick Erik Flowers and tall, rangy Quincy Yancy are two other
reasons the Sun Devils may have the best front four in the Pac-10. UCLA has a sophomore-
and freshman-dominated group up front. The Bruins need a breakthrough year from junior DE
Kenyon Coleman, who is very talented and has pass-rush potential. Edge: Arizona
State.
Linebackers — The Sun Devils did not receive the type of play
they were expecting from their linebackers last season, and UCLA lacks size and power in
this area. But if the Texas Tech game is an indication, the Sun Devils’ linebackers
are stepping it up this year. Since the Bruins are changing defenses, it is hard to get a
good read on their ’backers Edge: Even.
Defensive backs — The Sun Devils suffered a major blow when their
most gifted defensive back, starting CB J’Juan Cherry, entered the NFL’s second
supplemental draft. Cherry was an excellent bump-and-run player with size and speed, but
he had a lot of lapses in his play and was no Boy Scout off the field. Courtney Jackson,
the other incumbent corner, is trying to bounce back from a subpar season, but he has not
been overly impressive early this year. UCLA has enough athletes to be good in the
secondary, but the group never jelled last season and must come together this year so the
individual parts are no longer better than the unit as a whole. Edge: UCLA.
Special teams — Arizona State has a top return man in Redmond and
a top punter in Stephen Baker. Both clubs lack a proven placekicker. Edge: Arizona
State.
Prediction: Arizona State 27, UCLA 24
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