College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2020

The Pac-12 South has been wide open the past few years, and 2020 promises more of the same for the division. That should benefit a team like Arizona State as they enter year three of Herm Edwards’ time in Tempe. The Sun Devils ended 2019 at 8-5 after their defeat of Florida State in the Sun Bowl, and that victory could be an augur of good things to come next season.

It was a strange bowl performance that probably won’t provide too much of a boost in the polls. Arizona State was outgained by nearly 200 yards of offense, as freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels went just 12-of-28 for 195 yards and the backfield was held to 87 yards on the ground. The defense, however, came through with four James Blackman interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries that ensured victory in El Paso.

The biggest loss for the Sun Devils is running back Eno Benjamin, who heads off to the NFL instead of returning for a final year. But Daniels will be back, and given the way he played for most of the season that fosters plenty of hope for the program. The bulk of the ballhawking defense is back for another season of terrorizing Pac-12 defenses, which should give them the boost necessary to open the year ranked.