ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU’s Graham knows importance of rivalry game

Nov 19, 2012, 10:20 PM | Updated: Nov 20, 2012, 12:03 am

“The most important game of the year.”

It took Arizona State head football coach Todd Graham less than 45 seconds at his weekly Monday press conference to use those words when describing the Sun Devils’ game against rival University of Arizona on Friday.

A Rose Bowl or BCS appearance isn’t on the line, but this year’s game takes on a different meaning.

You have two schools in Arizona State and Arizona that are in almost identical situations. The teams’ previous regimes — with Dennis Erickson and Mike Stoops — were disappointing, both peaking with Holiday Bowl bids when more was expected.

It’s the beginning of a new era for Graham at ASU and Rich Rodriguez at the University of Arizona. Both teams are 4-4 in Pac-12 play and the Wildcats have seven wins overall to the Sun Devils’ six.

Friday night brings an opportunity for both coaches to set a tone for their program going forward.

This rivalry game wasn’t something from which Graham shied away. He made it clear he knew and understood the importance of winning this game.

“You can be 11-0 and if you don’t win this game you had an unsuccessful season,” Graham stated. “This is what college football is all about, rivalry games, and none that have more passion than this one.”

In these parts, that is all understood. Games between UA and ASU will always be meaningful no matter what the records are. The question is, will this game be the start of the Territorial Cup taking on a bigger presence nationally? Will Graham and Rich Rod live up to their words and their respective schools become relevant on a bigger stage?

Friday night will either be the start of something special or another beginning to the end of failed promises and expectations.

Arizona State Football

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Vincent DeAngelis

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham addressed quarterback Jaden Rashada's injury, revamped roster and NIL ahead of start of spring ball

6 days ago

Jaden Rashada on the football field...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Jaden Rashada dealing with thumb injury, will miss spring ball

ASU's Jaden Rashada won't be a full participant in spring ball due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand suffered earlier in the year.

7 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

13 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

13 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

14 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

18 days ago

ASU’s Graham knows importance of rivalry game