That much was evident after as many as 20 members of the Arizona State Sun Devils sat out of practice last week, suffering from a flu virus that has recently overrun the Phoenix area.
?It`s a long list,? said head coach Dirk Koetter, whose Sun Devils are favored by 10 points over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights for today?s Insight Bowl. ?There are a lot of guys not feeling 100 percent.?
Sportsbooks and bettors seem to have taken little notice of ASU`s illness, as the line has not moved since news broke last Thursday.
But one linesmaker says that isn?t surprising even though the flu has infected the likes of wide receiver Derek Hagan and tailback Keegan Herring, who combined have scored 14 touchdowns and account for over 1900 yards this season.
?These guys should be alright. They`re still young and they still have enough time to get healthy,? says BetCRIS?s Shane Catford. ?We?ve pretty much have balanced money and there hasn?t been any change in the action.?
But Catford says the line might still change before game time Tuesday night.
?If we get an injury report or information [Tuesday] that still says a couple of guys are doubtful then we will have to consider a line change,? says Catford. ?It all depends on the information.?
Hagan, along with fellow receivers Terry Richardson and Moey Mutz, were listed on Monday`s injury report Monday as day-to-day with the flu. Richardson (35 catches, four touchdowns) and Mutz (21 catches, one touchdown) help provide depth to a dynamic offense that averages almost 365 passing yards and over 36 points per game.
?Our wide receivers crew is totally wiped out,? Koetter told reporters last Thursday. ?It`s a serious issue, and hopefully the days ahead will help us get caught up.?
Koetter gave his players Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day off before running a light workout Sunday night. The Sun Devils will then hold a walkthrough Monday at Chase Field in final preparations for Tuesday`s clash.
?It`s a long list,? said head coach Dirk Koetter, whose Sun Devils are favored by 10 points over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights for today?s Insight Bowl. ?There are a lot of guys not feeling 100 percent.?
Sportsbooks and bettors seem to have taken little notice of ASU`s illness, as the line has not moved since news broke last Thursday.
But one linesmaker says that isn?t surprising even though the flu has infected the likes of wide receiver Derek Hagan and tailback Keegan Herring, who combined have scored 14 touchdowns and account for over 1900 yards this season.
?These guys should be alright. They`re still young and they still have enough time to get healthy,? says BetCRIS?s Shane Catford. ?We?ve pretty much have balanced money and there hasn?t been any change in the action.?
But Catford says the line might still change before game time Tuesday night.
?If we get an injury report or information [Tuesday] that still says a couple of guys are doubtful then we will have to consider a line change,? says Catford. ?It all depends on the information.?
Hagan, along with fellow receivers Terry Richardson and Moey Mutz, were listed on Monday`s injury report Monday as day-to-day with the flu. Richardson (35 catches, four touchdowns) and Mutz (21 catches, one touchdown) help provide depth to a dynamic offense that averages almost 365 passing yards and over 36 points per game.
?Our wide receivers crew is totally wiped out,? Koetter told reporters last Thursday. ?It`s a serious issue, and hopefully the days ahead will help us get caught up.?
Koetter gave his players Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day off before running a light workout Sunday night. The Sun Devils will then hold a walkthrough Monday at Chase Field in final preparations for Tuesday`s clash.
