2006 Arizona State Sun Devils Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 Arizona State Sun Devils season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 Arizona State Sun Devils Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to bookmark our free college football lines service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Dick Koetter (6th year at Arizona State)
Team Name: Sun Devils
2005 Overall Record: 6-5
2005 Pac 10 Conference Record 4-4
Returning Starters: 12

The Sun Devils had two fine QBs last season. Sam Keller started and when he went down with torn thumb ligaments, Rudy Carpenter stepped up and led the nation in passing efficiency. Keller will start this year and Carpenter will back-up—that’s quarterback depth.

Last season in the nation, Arizona was 7th in scoring, 3rd in passing and 2nd in total points. But their running game, which was 58th, was inadequate. The good news is sophomore tailback Keegan Herring brings a year of experience (870 yards in 2005) and fine speed back to the playing field. Expect vast improvement, especially if the Sun Devils’ offensive line, which was relatively untested last season, can parlay its experience into improved play.

The biggest challenge for this team will be on defense, which was ranked, 114th in the nation in 2005. Coach Dirk Koetter is relying on his defensive line transfers—Loren Howard, Tranell Morant and Michael Marquardt—to be difference makers. At linebacker and corner, things look pretty thin.

Last year AU was 7 and 5. After all is said and done, that may again be their record. They play California, Oregon and USC in successive weeks. They have to win one of those games and preferably their last two against UCLA and Arizona to go 10 and 2. Possible? Only if the Sun Devils “D” can step up.

Arizona State Sun Devils 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Aug 31	Northern Arizona	Home
Sep 9	Nevada	Home
Sep 16	Colorado	Road
Sep 23	California	Road
Sep 30	Oregon	Home
Oct 14	USC	Road
Oct 21	Stanford	Home
Oct 28	Washington	Road
Nov 4	Oregon State	Road
Nov 11	Washington State	Home
Nov 16	UCLA	Home
Nov 25	Arizona	Road

 

For more data on the 2006 Arizona State football program, view the Sun Devils team website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the Pac 10 competition.