QUARTERBACK
It looks like coordinator Rich Olsen and head coach Dennis Erickson solved Arizona State’s offensive (in)consistency problems in their first campaign here. Only the best defenses stopped Rudy Carpenter in his junior year. The line seemed to be a marginal run-blocking group, but allowing 55 sacks was third-worst in all of FBS. Yet the passing game did function rather nicely, regardless, which is more of a statement unto Rudy’s prowess. Many skill positions are back, and with their senior hurler, this offense will impress again. Carpenter is one of the top arms in the country, and he became a great game manager, too, during last year’s 10-3 campaign. From his sophomore to his junior campaigns, his completion percentage went up and his INTs went down, and we think his upside still hasn’t been fully realized. He has only thrown two INTs three times during his illustrious college career (led NCAA in passing efficiency as a freshman). This guy needs protecting, for even though he proved his toughness by standing tall in the pocket, that next hit could be the one that harms his sub-200lb. body and really hurts ASU’s chances at the Pac Ten crown. Conversely, Rudy has to be more aware of his presence in the pocket and move when that short clock says it’s time. Backup Danny Sullivan has the profile to be another great one, and his brief insertions have shown such. We think it’s a no-brainer that he sees more reps as the heir-apparent.

RUNNING BACK
And speaking of talents, RB Keegan Herring claims a 4.3 in the 40, lightning speed through the hole. Dimitri Nance is the tough inside runner who needs to live up to expectations (a mere 3.8 yards per carry average for a guy who hit for 3,000+ yards in his senior prep season). JUCO-prospect Jarrell Woods is a junior and a physical specimen – he has a 39” vertical leap to go with his 425lb. bench and 605lb. squat. Woods looks hungry for carries, as does Shuan DeWitty, who missed last year (back, knee) and has been limited for most of his time here in Tempe. These four are quite enough for this one-back set, and making the ball go around evenly will be a challenge, though, all will participate if called upon. Even though Olsen and Erickson have their guys run it a little more than they pass it, the run needs to be established better than it was in 2007. When the offense is doing great, methodical running eats the clock nicely…but when they struggled last year, the running game didn’t have that extra gear to assure itself production.

RECEIVER / TIGHT END
Imagine what Carpenter can do when not running for his life – three of his top four weapons return to raise the bar even further. Kyle Williams joins all-conference honorable mentionees Mike Jones (6’4) and ex-track guy Chris McGaha to form the triple-pronged “pitchfork” attack. The unknown guy is Kerry Taylor, a Chandler (Hamilton) product who can adjust well to poorly thrown balls and pile up YAC like crazy. All-around athlete Gerrell Taylor (QB/RB/WR/DB) and Kemonte Bateman, two four-star prospects, should get touches, too, to keep them in Tempe. UPDATE: Tight end Dane Guthrie will not be returning to Arizona State this season, reportedly because of academic issues.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Back to the line…can the new faces protect their QB? Freshman center Garth Gerhart has been touted as the leader at that spot, and his heady approach is just what the OL needs to help break down the needed blocking schemes when protecting. He joins senior Paul Fanaika and junior Shawn Lauvao inside, securing the runs between the tackles. It’s the tackle prospects that need sorting out. Richard Tuitu’u could find himself back on the left side; his size and effectiveness should be an upgrade. The other tackle spot looks like it is up for grabs, with Jon Hargis, JUCO-transfer Tom Njunge and Adam Tello all capable of securing the slot. This allows the others to be backups, and all will see time early on as the coaches decide who works best with whom. They have until the Georgia game to figure it out. The TE slot is also up for grabs, and Andy Pettes (runs 4.7 in the 40) looks in line for a well-deserved start. Dane Guthrie has also been patient after transferring from Florida, and offers more size to go with his soft hands. The new-look front can actually find its own identity and shake off last year’s pass protection troubles.

This is the side of the ball that needs the most attention. Numbers from ’07 were good and signal that the talent here can do the job at times. But at other times, it seems they are overwhelmed. The last three losses were all games where ASU allowed at least 35 points, but they were also against some of the nation’s best teams. Defensive improvements will go the farthest toward improving State’s W-L record.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The line has its three most productive guys back, with the ends combining for 25 TFLs. Dexter Davis is an All-American with us this preseason since he tied for 14th nationally in sacks. This ex-wrestler plays smart, mobile and aggressively. JUCO-graduate Luis Vasquez hasn’t gotten to the QB as much as he did when he led the NJCAA from 2005-06 in sacks, but the former Purdue recruit has an upside that should be realized as foes focus on Davis’s side. The tandem started every game last year together. Inside, Jon Hargis is reported to be moving to offense (LT), so Dave Smith is the lone tackle with worthwhile experience. Smith is big enough to plug and clog, and quick enough to play outside of the five-gap when the line shifts/stunts. Paul ‘Unga looks decent, but needs some girth to be effective (enough) in this league. Las Vegas’ Lawrence Guy is this class’s No.13 prospect, and more depth inside has us believing the strong run stopping efforts will continue.

LINEBACKER
The longest run against ASU last year was 48 yards, and a huge reason was this LB set. Losing Robert James may affect results early on, but things should rebound as juniors Nixon and Goethel settle in. Soph Oliver Aaron has the safety-LB hybrid look that is good for stopping spread out opponents, and the spring competition will only pump up the candidates replacing James even more. Finding the right guy at MLB will go a long way toward holding ASU’s win total above eight.

DEFENSIVE BACK
The only leftover from the ’07 secondary is Omar Bolden, an ex-RB who proved much to keep coach Erickson resting well come early August. C.C.-transfer Terell Carr looks like an immediate contributor at corner, so there is hope before UGA kicks off the four-game span that will define the season for Arizona State. All-Pac Ten SS Troy Nolan proved his value in stepping up big-time (third on ASU for tackles; tops in INTs) after 2006 forced a red-shirt. Jeremy Payton (foot) will bounce back to provide a solid starter – the ex-WR can play any place in the secondary, so he can match-up well against anyone when multiple receivers are employed. Rod Cox is a viable backup, so the DBs look like they just need to gel.

The only thing left to say has to do with first quarter scoring, something which has to be stemmed (128 combined points). Big points were allowed early in the USC, Oregon, Texas and Oregon State games, with only OSU then allowing ASU a comeback for the win. They did better as the game went on, only allow 39 combined points in the fourth quarters, so this problem in the initial 15 minutes seems to be a single dimension that can also lead to more wins.