arizona state football

Arizona State can change everything.

It’s a .500 football program that has stumbled badly in the second half of what had been a promising season. The defense has been a disappointment. The rushing offense has been bad, too.

But the final games of the season against No. 6 Oregon and Arizona show ASU’s potential under Coach Herm Edwards and the paradigm-busting NFL model.

Traditionally, college football players have been asked to sacrifice themselves in service to their programs. But ASU has turned that upside down, designing a program that aims to be in service to its players.

Imagine if it works and produces long-term success in the Pac-12.  

Everyone is locked in

Fans are locked in.

Sun Devil Stadium was full against Oregon, and there won’t be an empty seat when Arizona comes to town next week to fight for the Territorial Cup. Toss in the near sellout against USC, and you’re looking at three straight games where it was hard to get a ticket on Saturday in Tempe.

National pundits are locked in.

The Sun Devils have been on ABC twice (USC, Oregon.) They’ll have been on ESPN twice (Cal, Arizona.) And they’ll have appearances on Fox (Michigan State), FS1 (Oregon State) and HBO.

High school players and coaches are locked in.

Early indications show that next year’s incoming class will be strong. Recruiting services 247 and Rivals have ASU’s group as No. 31 in the nation. Scout puts the Sun Devils at No. 34. Spring ball should be a fight with the largest crop of early entrants in memory.  

Last year’s recruits are contributing, starting with quarterback Jayden Daniels.

And NFL scouts are locked in.

Brandon Aiyuk has been getting scouted for weeks, and ESPN draft guru Todd McShay has the receiver listed at No. 19 on his list of best players. Running back Eno Benjamin has done well enough in the receiving game to put himself into draft consideration. And Chase Lucas has a combination of size and ability that makes talent evaluators drool.  

Not without risk

There’s risk associated with this level of attention, of course.

Get the Sports Breaking News newsletter in your inbox.

Can't wait to read sports news? Get crucial breaking sports news alerts to your inbox.

Delivery: Varies

Your Email

It’s hard to do an old thing in a new way, and none of this works without wins.

If ASU can’t make a bowl, the failure will have been broadcast and dissected around the nation.

Fox broadcasters Urban Meyer, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn were among those debating Edwards’ decision to go for 2 at the end of the 35-34 loss at Oregon State.

Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com today

Edwards doubled down at his news conference after the game, saying he had decided to go for the win as soon as ASU took possession at the Beavers’ 10-yard line. To him, it was a show of confidence in his offense and a way to put pressure on Oregon State with a dwindling clock.

But to skeptics it betrayed a lack of confidence in his defense and flaws in the run game that have dogged the Devils all season.

That’s a closed-door conversation if it happens to most any other .500 team in the nation.

Bad losses would give critics room to toss out one “told-ya-so” after another.

They’ll say that offensive coordinator Rob Likens doesn’t have the play-calling chops to maintain drives between the 20s.

They’ll say that defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales can’t teach the 3-3-5 as well as his mentor, San Diego State coach Rocky Long.

They’ll say that the slew of NFL guys, Marvin Lewis, Kevin Mawae, Derek Hagan, Shawn Slocum and Antonio Pierce can’t translate their NFL experience to younger players.    

It’ll create urgency and intensity that could threaten to mar the 2020 season before it starts.

A good problem to have

Edwards and his staff deserve time to grow the program.

They inherited recruiting and talent problems that have forced 32 freshmen into the lineup. The offensive line has two rookies. And the Sun Devils have a very young defensive front. And let’s not forget the need for a wholesale culture change. Before Edwards arrived, ASU had made a habit of losing games by double digits. (No one in maroon and gold wants to think about how the 2016 season ended.)

This staff needs at least another two recruiting classes before it can be fairly judged, but the early success and attention come with heightened scrutiny.

On balance, it’s a good problem to have.

Pressure is a reward.

There’s no pressure on programs that don’t win.

There’s no pressure on programs that don’t develop pro-caliber players.

There’s no pressure on programs that don’t have expectations.

ASU could change everything — and it could be starting right now.

Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or 602-444-2236. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @WritingMoore.

There's plenty Moore where this came from. Subscribe for videos, columns, opinions and analysis from The Arizona Republic’s award-winning sports team.