Arizona State shouldn’t be insulted about being picked last in Big 12, but maybe thankful

The Big 12 preseason football poll came out this week and Arizona State has been pegged last, 16th.

That shouldn’t be much of a surprise. The Sun Devils are coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons although there has been some renewed optimism in Tempe heading into Kenny Dillingham’s second year and recruiting has been trending upward.

Ask the energetic coach what he thinks of that prognostication and you’d probably get something like:

“You think I really care what anyone outside of this program thinks of us. I couldn’t care less. All I worry about is are we working hard enough and getting better every single day. Anything else would be counterproductive. You can’t waste your time and energy on negativity.”

Maybe that prediction will be a blessing in disguise for the Sun Devils. You know, good bulletin board material. Incentive. “We’ll show them.”

The poll was by sportswriters who cover the Big 12. What do they know, especially given that ASU is new to the conference?

It’s a good bet the majority of those voting probably didn’t see one minute of an ASU game last year. Most of those schools are one or more time zones away — and the Sun Devils weren’t exactly must-see TV.

Those reporters also probably are not aware of the injuries that factored into that record — 31 players missing a total of 143 games — and a quarterback position that needed help from a tight end and running back.

That poll wasn’t the only one pushing the low expecations.

The most noted authority on college football, Phil Steele, had ASU 15th in his 352-page preseason outlook with the Sun Devils ahead of only Houston.

Lindy’s slotted ASU 15th, ahead of only Cincinnati and just behind Houston.

Athlon put ASU 13th, ahead of Brigham Young, Cincinnati and Houston.

The Sun Devils could have easily been .500 in 2023 and, if that were the case, the whole narrative is…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arizona-state-shouldnt-insulted-being-223143817.html

Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Publish date : 2024-07-03 22:31:43

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