ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Sun Devils must win to keep fans feeling good

Sep 16, 2011, 10:35 PM | Updated: 11:36 pm

The Arizona State Sun Devils are 2-0, coming off a win over a ranked Missouri team.

Players, coaches and fans are feeling pretty good — as they should — but all the fun times would quickly end with a loss Saturday to Illinois.

“All the good you did in beating Missouri, I think goes out the window if you lose to Illinois,” Arizona Sports 620’s John Gambadoro said. “Illinois is a decent team, they’re not a great team. If you want to go where ASU wants to go, you have to be able to beat a team like Illinois on the road.”

True, this game is important for the purposes of perception, but win or lose it won’t have any affect on the team’s Pac-12 title chances. That is a point Arizona Sports 620’s Dave Burns made, though he noted this game is important on an emotional level.

“All those credits that you got last week against Missouri are gone if you lose this game,” he said.

Maybe, maybe not. A 2-1 start would not be the end of the world for the Sun Devils, and losing this game would not end their season by any stretch.

That said, a team that fancies itself a BCS contender cannot afford to lose games, especially to unranked teams.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona State Football

Kamari Lands, latest Sun Devil to enter transfer portal following 2023-24 season....

Bailey Leasure

Kamari Lands marks latest Sun Devil to enter transfer portal

Sophomore Kamari Lands, latest Sun Devil to enter transfer portal as ASU continues rebuild headed into 2024-25 season.

21 hours ago

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: San Antonio Brahmas head coach Hines Ward argues with officials during ...

Arizona Sports

Hines Ward to become ASU’s wide receivers coach

Former NFL wide receiver Hines Ward has agreed to join Kenny Dillingham's staff and become Arizona State’s next wide receivers coach.

4 days ago

Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham in studio...

Damon Allred

Arizona State football adds 2025 3-star defensive back Xavier Skowron

Arizona State's 2025 recruiting class got a little bit bigger on Thursday with the addition of three-star defensive back Xavier Skowron.

6 days ago

Mug shot of former Arizona State pass rusher and seven-time NFL Pro Bowler Terrell Suggs....

Arizona Sports

Former Arizona State, NFL star Terrell Suggs arrested for disorderly conduct, intimidating

Former Arizona State and Baltimore Ravens star Terrell Suggs was arrested on two charges, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff.

7 days ago

Quarterback Jaden Rashada #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during the first half of...

Vincent DeAngelis

Jaden Rashada ramping up from thumb injury as ASU spring ball continues

ASU quarterback Jaden Rashada returned and took individual reps under center on Tuesday. He's expected to ramp up slowly.

8 days ago

Running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples...

David Veenstra

Oregon reportedly hires Arizona State football assistant coach Ra’Shaad Samples

The University of Oregon will reportedly hire Arizona State football assistant Ra’Shaad Samples as its running backs and assistant head coach.

10 days ago

Sun Devils must win to keep fans feeling good