Todd Graham: ‘This is the funnest group of guys I’ve ever coached’

Maybe it’s because of a victory with a last-second Hail Mary.

Maybe it’s because the team avenged last season’s Pac-12 Championship Game loss to Stanford.

Regardless of the reason, these Sun Devils have already earned the distinction of being the team Graham has enjoyed the most.

“I just like this team. They’ve got great heart and great character,” said Graham when he on Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday.

“This is the funnest group of guys I’ve ever coached because they’re smart. They’re selfless when it comes to how they approach things and I like our chances because of that.”

This is Graham’s third season in Tempe, and the coach may be inclined to like this team the most purely based on its hot start.

The No. 14 Sun Devils are currently 6-1, their best mark through seven games during Graham’s tenure.

“This is the best team in how they function and work and prepare, and we’re gaining experience,” Graham said.

It’s probably good that Graham has so much faith in his team at this point, as the Sun Devils have a daunting schedule down the stretch. Arizona State is slated to play three of its last five games against top-20 teams, beginning with the No. 17 Utah Utes at home Saturday.

Still, even with the intimidating upcoming month for the Sun Devils, Graham sees a team that can be successful in close matchups.

“Our guys know these games are going to come down the wire,” he said. “These games are probably going to come down to the last series, and I like our chances because these guys have got a lot of heart.”

Arizona State’s homecoming game matchup against Utah begins Saturday at 8 p.m., with coverage on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

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