Long Time Series Starts the Season

There are a few games on the docket tonight, but one has top 25 importance—Northern Arizona University at #24 Arizona State University. The game kicks off at 10pm EST, which is 7pm PST. One of the ASU QBs, Sam Keller, is now in Nebraska. He threw for 2,165 yards, 20 TDs and 9 INTs last season. Still, the ASU Sun Devils have starter Rudy Carpenter. He threw for 2,2273 yards with 17 TDs and only 2 picks last year. Are the ASU Sun Devils top 25 material?

ASU had a touch of controversy before the season started thanks to their coach who couldn’t make up his mind on a starting QB. First, Sam Keller was told he won the job and Carpenter was to be the backup. Within 48 hours, he changed his mind and flipped the decision. This is the move that made Keller mad enough to leave. He promptly made the move out of town. As a result, Carpenter, who perhaps should have been named the starter in the first place, is leading the team.

The more important question to be answered tonight is, “will the ASU defense show up improved?” The offense of ASU should have little trouble scoring on the NAU defense. However, the ASU defense has its issues. Have they been solved? While NAU might not be the proper test, we should find out a little something. If NAU can move well against the ASU defense, it’s a sign that all is not well in Sun Devil camp. NAU was 3-8 last season and is not expected to make many waves tonight.

This series is just over 90 years old this season. It started back in 1915. While the Sun Devils hold a slight edge in the series, 17-14-4, they have won 9 of the last 10 meetings—the one non-win was a tie. The last meeting between these two teams was in 2003 and ASU routed NAU 34-14. Look for more of the same tonight.