Preseason Predictions: Week 11 @ ASU

The ASU game last year was probably one of, if not the most memorable games of the season. Something about Connor Halliday throwing for 494 yards tends to stick in people's minds. This year WSU will have to travel to Tempe, which as B-Lot Tailgater pointed out, has not been a kind place to the Cougars recently.

WSU hasn't won in Tempe since 2001 and they haven't even scored a point there since 2006. Will all of that change this year? Let's take a closer look at ASU.

ASU Profile:

2011 record: 6-7

2011 S&P+ rating: 212.2 (WSU 175.3)

2011 home record: 5-2

Returning starters: 8

Athlon Sports preseason ranking: 55 (WSU 51)

Phil Steele power rating: 123.21 (WSU 123.32)

All-time record vs. WSU: 24-12-2

Last meeting: ASU 27 vs. WSU 37 (2011)

Bill C Stat Profile: LINK

Bill C Preview: LINK

Todd Graham is quickly making his mark on the Arizona State program. Almost every Arizona State defender lost weight this offseason, which melds well with the thought of him bringing more speed to the table on the defensive side of the ball; plus, Graham signed eight junior college transfers. He has no interest in taking on a three-year (or more) rebuilding project, and that's good because Arizona State doesn't need that much rebuilding. Despite low 2012 expectations, the Sun Devils should still have a strong run game and a solid pass defense. If karma takes it easy on the Sun Devils, a bowl in 2012 is still a reachable goal, a 2013 squad that returns about 15 starters or so could do very good things.

ASU will have a much different look this season with a new coach and as many as 13 new starters. They will, however, still have Cameron Marshall and a talented backfield. Run defense might be WSU's most glaring weakness at this point, so that might be a little tricky.