Arizona State football preview: Counting down to Sun Devils' kickoff for 2022 season
The 2022 Arizona State football season gets under way on Thursday when the Sun Devils play host to Northern Arizona at 7 p.m.
Sure, on paper this should be a walkover for ASU against the lower-division Lumberjacks, although we must point to the scoreboard at Arizona Stadium from last Sept. 18 when NAU stunned Arizona 21-19. As Herm Edwards once said, "You play to win the game."
So, what should we expect from the Sun Devils in Edwards' fifth season as head coach? The Arizona Republic has spent the summer trying to answer that question. Will the Sun Devils build on an 8-5 season that included a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl? Or, will the amount of turnover from last year's veteran-laden squad be too much to overcome?
Pac-12 football Week 1 picks, predictions:
Counting down to ASU football kickoff for 2022 season
Our ASU insider, Michelle Gardner, writes about how the Sun Devils are embracing the role of being an underdog in the Pac-12 amidst major turnover this season.
Columnist Kent Somers is on the same page, writing about how low expectations may be one of the few things ASU football has going for it this season.
Fellow columnist Greg Moore has a bit of a different take, writing that he believes that Herm Edwards might have everyone right where he wants them with the Sun Devils perhaps being a lot better than most people think this season.
And what do the players have to say? Here is a compilation of some of the better quotes to come out of ASU's preseason camp.
Gardner broke down the season into six storylines to follow for the 2022 Sun Devils, storylines that will determine the team's success.
She also laid out unit-by-unit previews that looked at the strengths and challenges for the team. You can find them here:
Quarterback: What to know about the new signal callers
Offensive line: Job one is replacing three starters
Running back: Looking to boost productivity despite turnover
Wide receiver: Building trust with new WR corps
Tight end: How much will ASU incorporate them into the offense?
Defensive line: There's depth here, but the group's taken some hits
Linebacker: Quality starters, little depth
Secondary: Looking to fill void left by departing veterans
Special teams: Aiming to clean up inconsistency, penalty issues
Will new QB deliver for Sun Devils?
Of course, all eyes will be on ASU's new starting quarterback, Emory Jones, a transfer from Florida in the SEC who brings experience and, hopefully, leadership to the Sun Devils.
How will Arizona State fare in opener vs. NAU?
The Sun Devils host the NAU Lumberjacks at Sun Devil Stadium in a Week 1 college football game on Thursday. How will ASU fare? College football writers shared their picks and predictions for the game.
What do Pac-12 football title odds say?
How do the oddsmakers and pundits think the Pac-12 season will play out? Their conference favorite loyalties seem to be divided among USC, Utah and Oregon to win the title, and there wasn't a lot of love for the Arizona schools.
What about the future of the Pac-12?
And speaking of the beleaguered Pac-12, we've been keeping track of the latest goings-on ever since the L.A. schools announced their intention to bolt for the Big Ten in 2024. We've got you covered with the latest expansion and relocation rumors, updates and speculation as college football goes through another set of realignment spasms.
Mark Faller is sports editor of the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at mark.faller@arizonarepublic.com, and follow him on Twitter @falleraz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State football preview: Counting down to 2022 season kickoff
