ASU was only 6-6 last year and 4-5 in the Pac-10. But if you are wondering why the Sun Devils are now division favorites it’s because four of their six losses were by four points or less. They had a game-tying extra point at Wisconsin blocked and missed a potential game-winning 41-yard field goal at USC. ASU even hung with high-powered Oregon for most of their game. So 10 wins weren’t that far away last year.

The offense brings back nine starters this year, including all five linemen. Brock Osweiler is the unquestioned starting QB. He took over for Steven Threet for the final two games last season and led the Sun Devils to victories over UCLA and archrival Arizona. In those contests Osweiler completed 49-of-85 passes for 647 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. Cameron Marshall and Deantre Lewis give ASU one of the better 1-2 punches at RB in the conference. ASU did lose starting wideout T.J. Simpson to a torn ACL during spring ball; Simpson was the Sun Devils’ best deep threat.

Eight starters are back on defense. It could have been even better had all-conference cornerback Omar Bolden not torn ACL in his left knee during spring practice. One of the best defensive players in the nation is junior middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who made a team-high 90 tackles in 2010.

ASU opens the season Sept. 1 vs. UC-Davis and has an over/under win total of 8 at Bodog.

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