Pac-12 football preview: Trojans and Ducks the teams to beat
Arizona State
ARIZONA — Key players: QB Matt Scott, RB Ka'Deem Carey, LB Jake Fischer, RB Taimi Tutogi, LB Brian Wagner, S Tra'Mayne Bondurant. Returning starters: offense 6, defense 7.
Notes: The hiring of Rich Rodriguez, the former West Virginia and Michigan coach, has generated a buzz in Tucson. Rodriguez had an acrimonious run in Ann Arbor, but his enthusiasm and go-go-go offense have heated things up for U of A football in the desert. ... Scott was once expected to be The Man before becoming the understudy to Nick Foles the past two seasons. He redshirted last season and is looking forward to his chance in the spotlight without having to look over his shoulder. ... Carey has a nice combination of speed and power, but didn't quite live up to the heralded-freshman hype last season. ... Wagner led the nation in tackling last season at Akron before transferring to Arizona.
Notes: The hiring of Rich Rodriguez, the former West Virginia and Michigan coach, has generated a buzz in Tucson. Rodriguez had an acrimonious run in Ann Arbor, but his enthusiasm and go-go-go offense have heated things up for U of A football in the desert. ... Scott was once expected to be The Man before becoming the understudy to Nick Foles the past two seasons. He redshirted last season and is looking forward to his chance in the spotlight without having to look over his shoulder. ... Carey has a nice combination of speed and power, but didn't quite live up to the heralded-freshman hype last season. ... Wagner led the nation in tackling last season at Akron before transferring to Arizona.