Overview

Best-Case Scenario

Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne, returning starter Trenton Bourguet, and five-star freshman Jaden Rashada are each vying for the role.

In some ways, figuring out who’s the starter early in the fall matters more than the player actually chosen.

In other words, naming the starter early in camp will benefit the team, and any prolonged quarterback battle will hold the program back.

Rotating three quarterbacks with the ones and twos in practice does nothing but hinder the development of chemistry and prevents the other position groups from reaching their potential.

Dillingham knows that and will likely choose his quarterback sooner rather than later.

The result should be a defined leader that builds chemistry with his receivers, tight ends, and more importantly, the offensive line.

The Sun Devils were 80th in the FBS in sacks allowed per game last a year and 70th in tackles for loss allowed per game.

Getting the quarterback battle resolved early will allow the O-Line to learn the stater’s tendencies and preferences much sooner.

Dillingham brought in six transfers along the offensive line.

The group is headlined by four-star Nevada transfer Aaron Frost, three-star California transfer Ben Coleman, three-star UNLV transfer Leif Fautanu, and high three-star Oregon transfer Bram Walden.

With the quarterback fight resolved early and the transfer additions along the line, ASU battles to a 6-6 season with victories over Southern Utah, Fresno State, California, Colorado, Washington State, and Arizona.

Worst Case Scenario

Highly dependent on a strong front seven, the Sun Devils get exposed at the linebacker position and don’t have the depth along the defensive line to effectively run the system.

B.J. Green, Anthonie Cooper, and Michael Matus return up front, and Ward brought in high three-star transfers in Dashaun Mallory from Michigan State and Clayton Smith from Oklahoma.

But that leaves an entire second string that is questionable and unproven at best.

Yet, that’s not the worst of it.

The linebackers corps is a glaring red flag that must trouble the ASU staff. The 4-2-5 is highly reliant on elite linebacker play, and without strong LBs the system is at risk of getting exposed.

That’s a problem for Arizona State.

The top three linebackers from last year’s squad are no longer with the team and the replacements are largely unproven.

Dillingham brought in three transfers at the position, all three stars and only one of them with significant production on his former team.

Washington State transfer Travion Brown put up strong numbers last year, is familiar with the scheme, and should hold down one of the starting roles.

But that still leaves plenty of question marks at linebacker that remain to be answered.

If the other starter and backups aren’t producing, the Sun Devils stumble their way to a forgetful 3-9 season with key defeats to Fresno State, California, Washington State, and Arizona.

What Should Happen

All three of the quarterbacks are skilled enough to win games and the offensive scheme should put them into ideal positions.

Dillingham has one of the top tight ends in the Pac-12 to utilize in Jalin Conyers and one of the top returning wide receivers in Elijhah Badger.

Combined with the additions of four-star Colorado wide receiver transfer Jordyn Tyson and high-three-star WR Idaho State transfer Xavier Guillory, Dillingham should have the necessary weapons to move the ball through the air.

On the ground, Sacramento State running back transfer Cameron Skattebo should combine well with California transfer DeCarlos Brooks and returning sophomore Tevin White.

And the portal additions along the offensive line should produce an improved unit that gives its quarterback more time to make plays within Dillingham’s scheme.

The result should be a respectable offense that is able to win games.

On defense, the secondary should carry the day. The defensive back group in Tempe is the strength of the team.

Chris Edmonds, Jordan Clark, Ro Torrence, and Ed Woods highlight the returning players while USC transfer Xavion Alford and Austin Peay transfer Demetries Ford have been added to the mix.

Edmonds, Clark, and Torrence combined for six interceptions last year while Ford is touted as one of the top corners in the FCS. Alford has three career interceptions to his name, too.

The result should be a secondary that produces INTs and makes the difference in close games.

What Must Happen

Dillingham and Ward brought in impact players that should start in each position group. But depth issues remain at both the linebacker spot and along the defensive line.

Brown should thrive in his starting role at LB, but the second option needs to emerge and quality depth must be built.

Along the D-Line, Green, Cooper, Matus, Mallory, and/or Smith form a respectable expected starting unit. But the group can’t play every down and the second string is a concern.

The backups must emerge as a real threat. Otherwise, ASU will be exposed by teams on the ground.

Greatest Strength

All three players fighting for the starting role have the skill to effectively lead the team. If one is injured, the next man up can pick back up where the other left off.

There are not many teams in the nation that have the quarterback depth that ASU has, let alone in the Pac-12.

It’s a double-edged sword that might result in a transfer early in the year from a disgruntled player. Yet, the three-deep quarterback room is undoubtedly one of the Sun Devils’ top strengths heading into the year.

Injuries happen, and Dillingham is fully prepared.

Biggest Concern

Aside from Brown who has experience running Ward’s system and posted significant numbers last year for Wazzu, the LB room is unproven and worrisome.

The questions in the unit shine even brighter considering the strength in the secondary and the potential impact transfers brought in along the line.

It’s a somewhat unfamiliar situation for the Sun Devils who have had several years of consistent and strong linebacking play from experienced starters.

It’s a rebuild that’s not all that surprising considering the coaching change. But it’s still a major concern.

On the other side of the ball, Dillingham has the weapons at the skill positions but there are questions along the line. The Sun Devils were simply bad in the trenches last season and it showed.

Frost, Coleman, Fautanu, and Walden have been brought in to address the issues. Yet, until they provide it on the field, the O-Line remains a concern.

Deciding Factors

The Sun Devils lost their top two running backs in Xazavian Valladay and Daniyel Ngata. The duo combined for 19 touchdowns and 1,806 total yards.

Replacing their production won’t be easy, but it’s vital to ASU’s season.

Sacramento State transfer Skattebo rushed for 1,372 yards last year and is the apparent replacement for Valladay. Still, if his game doesn’t transition well to the FBS level, Dillingham and Company could be in trouble.

Cal transfer Brooks is a proven second option, though. And returning sophomore White is rearing for more touches.

At the end of the day, Dillingham needs his backs to produce or his offense is at risk of becoming one-dimensional.

Schedule Analysis

The year starts with a tune-up against Southern Utah that should end in a blowout.

Oklahoma State comes to Tempe in Week Two for a pivotal showdown. The Cowboys are projected to win around six games this season and could struggle in the desert.

It will be Dillingham’s first test as a head coach and it’s a fascinating matchup. Still, the Sun Devils probably walk away with a close loss that comes down to the Fourth Quarter.

Fresno State comes to town in Week Three for a matchup that is arguably a must-win for ASU’s bowl eligibility aspirations. Jeff Tedford runs a prolific offense and the Bulldogs figure to have a strong defense once again.

But Fresno State will be breaking in a new quarterback and ASU has a strong secondary. At this point in the year, the matchup is a toss-up.

The Sun Devils stay at home for their Week Four matchup against USC. The Trojans are one of the top teams in the nation and should handle their business in Tempe.

Week Five features ASU’s first road game of the year. The team travels to California to face the Bears in what is arguably another must-win for bowl eligibility purposes.

If the Sun Devils lose to Cal, there’s arguably little chance of making a bowl game.

Colorado then comes to Tempe for an interesting matchup. Dillingham’s team should secure the win, but the Buffs might be a trendy upset pick.

A game at Washington follows that likely ends in a loss. Arizona State has a strong secondary to counter UW’s passing attack.

But the questions at linebacker are too concerning facing Kalen DeBoer’s offense, which is designed to get players into open space across the middle of the field.

And facing the Huskies on the road in Seattle, the game could end in a relative blowout.

Washington State then comes to Tempe in another must-win game. It’s a matchup between Ward and his old team, with Wazzu’s offense integrally familiar with the defensive scheme.

It’s another questionable toss-up, but the Cougars should find a way to win.

A game at Utah follows that will likely end in defeat.

The Utes are one of the most complete teams in the Conference and Arizona State doesn’t have the firepower on both sides of the ball to walk away from Rice-Eccles with a win.

A winnable road game follows, though, against UCLA. The Bruins historically drop a game they should win at the Rose Bowl and the matchup with the Sun Devils is a prime candidate.

Dillingham should have the offensive firepower to score enough points to win, but the question is whether his defense can adequately slow down Chip Kelly’s offense.

A home game against Oregon is next. The matchup has upset potential considering the history of the series and UO’s overall struggles in the State of Arizona.

Still, the Ducks will be strong on both sides of the ball and ASU has too many questions in key position groups to expect a win.

The year ends with the Territorial Cup in Tempe. Depending on how the season goes, the game could decide both programs’ bowl eligibility fate.

The Wildcats ran all over the Sun Devils last season and are returning a super-majority of their offensive production. It’s another toss-up game at this point in the offseason.

All told, six wins is a reasonable ceiling with three as a potential floor. Giving Dillingham the benefit of the doubt, a five-win year is a fair high-end projection.