2004 ARIZONA WILDCATS
Author: Brad Allis, CatTracks.net
2004 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
09/04/04 Northern Arizona
09/11/04 Utah
09/18/04 Wisconsin
09/25/04 Washington State
10/09/04 @UCLA
10/16/04 @Oregon
10/23/04 California
10/30/04 Oregon State
11/06/04 @Washington
11/13/04 @Southern California
11/26/04 Arizona State
Head Coach: Mike Stoops (1st year)
Last Season's Record: 2-10 (1-7, 10th in Pac-10)
Last Bowl Appearance: 1998 Holiday Bowl (23-20 victory over Nebraska)
Key matchup(s): Sept. 8th Wisconsin (Fox Sports Net), Nov. 26 Arizona State (Fox Sports Net)
Star Power: Mike Bell, RB, Jr. 6-1, 220; Steve Fleming, TE, Sr. 6-6, 260; Lamon Means, S, Jr. 6-3, 195
Notable Additions: Randy Sims, San Francisco CC, LB, 5-11, 230; Kiel McDonald, Sacramento CC, CB, 5-11; Yaniv Barnett, DT, Schertz, TX (Clemens), 6-3, 285
Notable Subtractions: Michael Jolivette CB (graduation), Gary Love CB (graduation), Clarence Farmer (graduation), John Mackovic (fired), Clay Hardt SS (graduation)
Notable Returnees: Brandon Phillips OL, Biren Ealy WR, Keoki Fraser C, Carlos Williams DT, Darrell Brooks S
Offensive Overview: Last year the offense was in shambles. The Wildcats played three different quarterbacks until settling on true freshman Kris Heavner. Heavner has the nod again, but will enter fall camp with at least three other passers hot on his heals. The team brought in LaVell Edwards/Norm Chow disciple Mike Canales to implement a quick hit, spread offense. Canales comes from the New York Jets, but is best known for being Phillip Rivers' QB coach at NC State. Expect the Wildcats to throw the ball all over the field, while at the same time trying to get Mike Bell as many touches as possible. The new staff feels the Pac-10's top returning rusher can be a special one. Steve Fleming has the makings of a great pass catching tight end and most of the receiving corps returns. This is key because the Wildcats will rely on a lot of four receiver sets, so there are a lot of balls to go around. The offensive line is a bit of a puzzle. A lot of experienced players are back, but the unit has been a weakness the past three seasons. Injuries have been a large part of the unit's struggles and the staff prays that they can keep oft-injured Brandon Phillips, John Parada and Tanner Bell healthy.
Defensive Overview: Long gone are the days of 'Desert Swarm' but Cat fans hope Stoops' Troops can be all the rage. The Wildcats are on their fourth defense in three seasons and almost anything would be an improvement over the porous unit of the Mackovic era. The Cats will employ an aggressive 4-3 defense that relies on disguising blitzes and coverages to keep the offense guessing. The safeties are a strength with Lamon Means and Darrell Brooks, but both starting corner backs must be replaced. Right now two JC transfers and a redshirt freshman look to be the starters, with two little-used veterans and two true freshmen in the mix. The Cats will use a lot of zone to protect the corners after years of man-to-man schemes in the double-eagle flex. The linebacking corps has some promise, but some of the young players need to step up. It will be interesting to see just who emerges as the starting three because upwards of nine players enter the fall with hope of extensive playing time. The defensive line has been terribly thin for several seasons and the Cats will play short handed again. Two reserve defensive tackles will likely not survive academics and the team is still reeling from the death of incoming recruit McCollins Umeh. It could be a few seasons before defensive minded head coach Mike Stoops has a unit he feels comfortable with.
Special Teams Overview: As bad as the Wildcats have been, their special teams have been worse. Their kickers were a combined 2-11 and incumbent kicker Nick Folk has never made a collegiate field goal. Punter Danny Baugher can be amazing one minute and then kick the next ball off the side of his foot. The Cats gave up 8.7 yards per punt return, while only gaining 5.2. New special teams coach Joe Robinson comes in with a great reputation, but he'll have his hands full trying to get this group back to where it was under Dick Tomey.
The Wildcats will be better under Stoops, but... may not have much to show for it. The schedule is tough and the team is young. A dream season would be six wins and a lower tier bowl, but a more realistic goal may be noticeable improvement and finishing out of the cellar.
2004 ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Author: Staff, DevilsDigest.com
2004 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
09/02/04 Texas-El Paso
09/11/04 @Northwestern
09/18/04 Iowa
09/25/04 Oregon State
10/02/04 @Oregon
10/16/04 @Southern California
10/23/04 UCLA
10/30/04 @California
11/06/04 Stanford
11/13/04 Washington State
11/26/04 @Arizona
Head Coach: Dirk Koetter (4th year, 17-20, 43-30 overall)
Last Season's Record: 5-7 (2-6, T-8th in Pac-10)
Last Bowl Appearance: 2002 Holiday Bowl (34-27 loss to Kansas State)
Key matchup(s): Sep. 18 Iowa, Sep. 25 Oregon State, Oct. 16 at USC, Nov. 26 at Arizona
Star Power: Andrew Walter QB, 6-5 235 senior, Derek Hagan WR, 6-2 192 junior, Loren Wade TB, 6-0 212 sophomore, Drew Hodgdon C, 6-3 285 senior
Notable Additions: Zach Miler TE, 6-4 245 Desert Vista HS, AZ, Maurice London S, 6-0 185, JC transfer, Dale Robinson LB, 6-1 240 JC transfer
Notable Subtractions: S Jason Shivers, FB Mike Karney, WR Skyler Fulton (all drafted by NFL teams), P Tim Parker.
Notable Returnees: Grayling Love OG, 6-3 297 junior, Jamar Williams LB, 6-1 243 junior, R.J. Oliver CB, 5-9 174 senior, Riccardo Stewart S, 5-10 215 senior
Offensive Overview: With Andrew Walter skipping the NFL draft and returning for his senior season, the Sun Devils will have one of the premier signal callers in the country. Derek Hagan will undoubtedly serve as Walter?s main target, but overall the quality depth at wideout is suspect. Nevertheless, redshirt freshman Rudy Burgess showed in the spring that he could be as good as the departed Fulton. Drew Hodgdon anchors an offensive line, which has a good mix of veterans and younger players. Arizona State?s running back core, headed by Loren Wade, is among the conference?s elite. Thus, the Devils? potent ground attack could help the team?s passing game. Koetter has long yearned to run a double tight end offense, and this year he will have the depth at that position to do so. The change should be undetectable to those watching the Sun Devils, but any scheme change can bring inevitable growing pains with it. Look for sophomore Jamaal Lewis and blue chip recruit Zach Miller to lead the tight ends in the receiving game, and provide more production from this position than last season.
Defensive Overview: The much-maligned 4-2-5 alignment will give way to the more traditional 4-3-4 this season. The heaviest concerns on this side of the ball rest with the defensive line, especially at defensive tackle. Senior Jimmy Verdon?s move from end to tackle should give a much needed boost, and allow the young and talented sophomore Kyle Caldwell to utilize his pass rush abilities more frequently. The ASU staff is hopeful that these moves can improve the team?s abilities to harass opposing quarterbacks and stop the run. Jamar Williams is arguably the team?s best defender, and probably the only likely defensive candidate for All Pac-10 honors. When healthy Riccardo Stewart is a tackling machine, but his physical condition has always been a cause for uneasiness. R.J. Oliver has one last chance to prove that he?s the proverbial lockdown cornerback he?s been touted as.
Special Teams Overview: Sophomore Jesse Ainsworth was just about what you would expect from a freshman kicker. His field goal abilities must catch up to his solid kickoff skills, in order for him to become a dependable contributor. Redshirt freshman punter Chris McDonald will have to fill Parker?s big shoes, and at the conclusion of spring practice it was still unclear if this mission was within his reach. During spring Burgess and sophomore wide receiver Terry Richardson have provided encouraging signs as dangerous kick and punt returners. While this group wasn?t the team's Achilles heal in 2003, it needs to be more of a difference maker in 2004.
The Sun Devils will have a winning season if... they can dramatically improve their defense, namely the defensive line, get significant contributions from its special teams, and develop more aerial targets for Walter to throw to.
Author: Brad Allis, CatTracks.net
2004 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
09/04/04 Northern Arizona
09/11/04 Utah
09/18/04 Wisconsin
09/25/04 Washington State
10/09/04 @UCLA
10/16/04 @Oregon
10/23/04 California
10/30/04 Oregon State
11/06/04 @Washington
11/13/04 @Southern California
11/26/04 Arizona State
Head Coach: Mike Stoops (1st year)
Last Season's Record: 2-10 (1-7, 10th in Pac-10)
Last Bowl Appearance: 1998 Holiday Bowl (23-20 victory over Nebraska)
Key matchup(s): Sept. 8th Wisconsin (Fox Sports Net), Nov. 26 Arizona State (Fox Sports Net)
Star Power: Mike Bell, RB, Jr. 6-1, 220; Steve Fleming, TE, Sr. 6-6, 260; Lamon Means, S, Jr. 6-3, 195
Notable Additions: Randy Sims, San Francisco CC, LB, 5-11, 230; Kiel McDonald, Sacramento CC, CB, 5-11; Yaniv Barnett, DT, Schertz, TX (Clemens), 6-3, 285
Notable Subtractions: Michael Jolivette CB (graduation), Gary Love CB (graduation), Clarence Farmer (graduation), John Mackovic (fired), Clay Hardt SS (graduation)
Notable Returnees: Brandon Phillips OL, Biren Ealy WR, Keoki Fraser C, Carlos Williams DT, Darrell Brooks S
Offensive Overview: Last year the offense was in shambles. The Wildcats played three different quarterbacks until settling on true freshman Kris Heavner. Heavner has the nod again, but will enter fall camp with at least three other passers hot on his heals. The team brought in LaVell Edwards/Norm Chow disciple Mike Canales to implement a quick hit, spread offense. Canales comes from the New York Jets, but is best known for being Phillip Rivers' QB coach at NC State. Expect the Wildcats to throw the ball all over the field, while at the same time trying to get Mike Bell as many touches as possible. The new staff feels the Pac-10's top returning rusher can be a special one. Steve Fleming has the makings of a great pass catching tight end and most of the receiving corps returns. This is key because the Wildcats will rely on a lot of four receiver sets, so there are a lot of balls to go around. The offensive line is a bit of a puzzle. A lot of experienced players are back, but the unit has been a weakness the past three seasons. Injuries have been a large part of the unit's struggles and the staff prays that they can keep oft-injured Brandon Phillips, John Parada and Tanner Bell healthy.
Defensive Overview: Long gone are the days of 'Desert Swarm' but Cat fans hope Stoops' Troops can be all the rage. The Wildcats are on their fourth defense in three seasons and almost anything would be an improvement over the porous unit of the Mackovic era. The Cats will employ an aggressive 4-3 defense that relies on disguising blitzes and coverages to keep the offense guessing. The safeties are a strength with Lamon Means and Darrell Brooks, but both starting corner backs must be replaced. Right now two JC transfers and a redshirt freshman look to be the starters, with two little-used veterans and two true freshmen in the mix. The Cats will use a lot of zone to protect the corners after years of man-to-man schemes in the double-eagle flex. The linebacking corps has some promise, but some of the young players need to step up. It will be interesting to see just who emerges as the starting three because upwards of nine players enter the fall with hope of extensive playing time. The defensive line has been terribly thin for several seasons and the Cats will play short handed again. Two reserve defensive tackles will likely not survive academics and the team is still reeling from the death of incoming recruit McCollins Umeh. It could be a few seasons before defensive minded head coach Mike Stoops has a unit he feels comfortable with.
Special Teams Overview: As bad as the Wildcats have been, their special teams have been worse. Their kickers were a combined 2-11 and incumbent kicker Nick Folk has never made a collegiate field goal. Punter Danny Baugher can be amazing one minute and then kick the next ball off the side of his foot. The Cats gave up 8.7 yards per punt return, while only gaining 5.2. New special teams coach Joe Robinson comes in with a great reputation, but he'll have his hands full trying to get this group back to where it was under Dick Tomey.
The Wildcats will be better under Stoops, but... may not have much to show for it. The schedule is tough and the team is young. A dream season would be six wins and a lower tier bowl, but a more realistic goal may be noticeable improvement and finishing out of the cellar.
2004 ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Author: Staff, DevilsDigest.com
2004 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
09/02/04 Texas-El Paso
09/11/04 @Northwestern
09/18/04 Iowa
09/25/04 Oregon State
10/02/04 @Oregon
10/16/04 @Southern California
10/23/04 UCLA
10/30/04 @California
11/06/04 Stanford
11/13/04 Washington State
11/26/04 @Arizona
Head Coach: Dirk Koetter (4th year, 17-20, 43-30 overall)
Last Season's Record: 5-7 (2-6, T-8th in Pac-10)
Last Bowl Appearance: 2002 Holiday Bowl (34-27 loss to Kansas State)
Key matchup(s): Sep. 18 Iowa, Sep. 25 Oregon State, Oct. 16 at USC, Nov. 26 at Arizona
Star Power: Andrew Walter QB, 6-5 235 senior, Derek Hagan WR, 6-2 192 junior, Loren Wade TB, 6-0 212 sophomore, Drew Hodgdon C, 6-3 285 senior
Notable Additions: Zach Miler TE, 6-4 245 Desert Vista HS, AZ, Maurice London S, 6-0 185, JC transfer, Dale Robinson LB, 6-1 240 JC transfer
Notable Subtractions: S Jason Shivers, FB Mike Karney, WR Skyler Fulton (all drafted by NFL teams), P Tim Parker.
Notable Returnees: Grayling Love OG, 6-3 297 junior, Jamar Williams LB, 6-1 243 junior, R.J. Oliver CB, 5-9 174 senior, Riccardo Stewart S, 5-10 215 senior
Offensive Overview: With Andrew Walter skipping the NFL draft and returning for his senior season, the Sun Devils will have one of the premier signal callers in the country. Derek Hagan will undoubtedly serve as Walter?s main target, but overall the quality depth at wideout is suspect. Nevertheless, redshirt freshman Rudy Burgess showed in the spring that he could be as good as the departed Fulton. Drew Hodgdon anchors an offensive line, which has a good mix of veterans and younger players. Arizona State?s running back core, headed by Loren Wade, is among the conference?s elite. Thus, the Devils? potent ground attack could help the team?s passing game. Koetter has long yearned to run a double tight end offense, and this year he will have the depth at that position to do so. The change should be undetectable to those watching the Sun Devils, but any scheme change can bring inevitable growing pains with it. Look for sophomore Jamaal Lewis and blue chip recruit Zach Miller to lead the tight ends in the receiving game, and provide more production from this position than last season.
Defensive Overview: The much-maligned 4-2-5 alignment will give way to the more traditional 4-3-4 this season. The heaviest concerns on this side of the ball rest with the defensive line, especially at defensive tackle. Senior Jimmy Verdon?s move from end to tackle should give a much needed boost, and allow the young and talented sophomore Kyle Caldwell to utilize his pass rush abilities more frequently. The ASU staff is hopeful that these moves can improve the team?s abilities to harass opposing quarterbacks and stop the run. Jamar Williams is arguably the team?s best defender, and probably the only likely defensive candidate for All Pac-10 honors. When healthy Riccardo Stewart is a tackling machine, but his physical condition has always been a cause for uneasiness. R.J. Oliver has one last chance to prove that he?s the proverbial lockdown cornerback he?s been touted as.
Special Teams Overview: Sophomore Jesse Ainsworth was just about what you would expect from a freshman kicker. His field goal abilities must catch up to his solid kickoff skills, in order for him to become a dependable contributor. Redshirt freshman punter Chris McDonald will have to fill Parker?s big shoes, and at the conclusion of spring practice it was still unclear if this mission was within his reach. During spring Burgess and sophomore wide receiver Terry Richardson have provided encouraging signs as dangerous kick and punt returners. While this group wasn?t the team's Achilles heal in 2003, it needs to be more of a difference maker in 2004.
The Sun Devils will have a winning season if... they can dramatically improve their defense, namely the defensive line, get significant contributions from its special teams, and develop more aerial targets for Walter to throw to.
