ASU still with ‘an opportunity’ to win the Pac-12 South

Oct 29, 2012, 9:08 PM | Updated: 10:12 pm

One year ago Monday ASU played its eighth game, defeating Colorado for its sixth win of the season. The Sun Devils would not win another game the rest of 2011.

Here in 2012, there are many within Sun Devil nation fearing history may repeat itself after back-to-back losses to Oregon and UCLA have left ASU 5-3. Adding to their consternation, ASU plays three of its final four games on the road, beginning this week at Oregon State.

Head coach Todd Graham, however, dismissed the notion this season is anything like last season.

“These guys right now I have a great sense of their purpose,” he said during his weekly Monday press conference. “Our guys had a great spirit, great attitude just like they’ve had for me all year long. We watched film [Sunday] and these guys understand where we’re at.”

Where ASU is at — with an assist from UA after the Wildcats upset USC — is still in contention to win the Pac-12 South.

The Sun Devils are 3-2 in the conference. That puts them a half game back of USC (4-2) with a date against the Trojans in two weeks. UCLA is also 3-2, but holds the tiebreaker over ASU based on winning their head-to-head matchup.

“The great thing about things in the South right now, it’s wide open,” Graham said. “No one is sitting any better than we are. For whatever reason, we’ve still got an opportunity.”


Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly, top, celebrates his touchdown with offensive linesman Jamil Douglas, left, offensive linesman Tyler Sulka and offensive linesman Vi Teofilo as UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau looks on during the first half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly, left, runs the ball as UCLA cornerback Anthony Jefferson defends during the first half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley runs the ball during the first half an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley passes during the first half an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State running back D.J. Foster, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Jaelen Strong during the first half an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly passes during the first half an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, left, runs the ball as Arizona State defensive back Damarious Randall defends during the first half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) UCLA defensive back Priest Willis, left, knocks down a pass intended for Arizona State running back D.J. Foster during the first half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State running back Marion Grice, left, celebrates a touchdown with defensive back Lloyd Carrington during the first half an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State running back Marion Grice, left, is tackled by UCLA cornerback Ishmael Adams during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley, left, is tackled by Arizona State linebacker Chris Young during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State running back D.J. Foster, left, is tackled by UCLA safety Randall Goforth during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) UCLA wide receiver Grayson Mazzone, left, injures his left knee as he runs the ball while Arizona State safety Alden Darby defends during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena,Calif. Mazzone needed to be helped off the field. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ASU running back Marion Grice is helped to the locker room after being injured during the second half an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) 
UCLA head coach Jim Mora, right, congratulates Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly, center, and running back Deantre Lewis after Arizona State defeated UCLA in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Arizona State head coach Todd Graham talks to his team during the second half an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Arizona State head coach Todd Graham yells to his team during the second half an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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