Arizona State Football: 5 reasons why Sun Devils will struggle in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
2. A young and ineffective offensive line will stunt Sun Devils offense
In 2017, Arizona State returns one of the greenest offensive lines in the Pac-12. Among the entire unit, they boast just 41 combined career starts at the college level. And the group that does return did little to impress in 2016.
Last year the Sun Devils were among the worst in the country at protecting their quarterbacks, which they went through at an alarming rate. Opponents reached the ASU backfield at will, amassing nearly 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss each outing. Sun Devils quarterbacks were unproductive and the offense could never get into a consistent rhythm as a result. That made for a lot of tense contests.
Despite fielding two talented tailbacks in Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage, Arizona State ranked 114th in the country in rushing yards per game last year. The offensive line got no consistent push to open holes for their backs. The numbers are even more skewed when you take out the anomalous showing against Texas Tech.
The two-deep for the unit is fortified by transfers and sophomores. When combined with a new coaching staff, that sort of turnover is probably not an ingredient for a massive turnaround in 2017. That means the offensive line will stink once again, and the offense will sputter as a result.