Arizona State offense (cont.)
Both Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard are now in the NFL so this run-first offense is going to be looking for a few new faces to take over. Eno Benjamin will get the first crack at the lead job. He only had 23 rushes last season but averaged 6.2 yards per carry. After Benjamin things get a little murky in the backfield. Trelon Smith is a shifty runner but could be squeezed out by the influx of freshmen talent coming aboard. Brock Sturges, Demetrious Flowers, and former UCLA Football commit, A.J. Carter bring size, speed, vision and most importantly, pass catching ability to an ASU RB group that needed to reload.
Interestingly enough Likens preferred to have a fullback in his multiple back formations. The Sun Devils don’t have one on the roster currently so might we see a position change from the linebacker or offensive line groups? We will just have to wait and see.
Speaking of linebackers, I think this is where the UCLA Football defense will have the biggest impact on the game. New LB coach Don Pellum has a history of molding his linebackers into aggressive, tackling machines. That’s a far cry from what UCLA fans saw last season. Attacking downhill and harnessing the athletic ability of this group should go a long way in slowing the rushing attack of the Sun Devils. If the Bruins can manage that they’ll take away the main philosophy of Likens and force a heavy passing attack.
Now, we can’t talk wideouts and running backs without mentioning the lifeblood of the offense, the offensive line. Whether it’s paving the way for backs or keeping your QB upright, this unit is the foundation of your offense.
The offensive line returns four starters but not all to the positions they played last year. Former left tackle Cohl Cabral is moving to the center position and his LT spot will be manned by Stanford graduate transfer Casey Tucker. The unit as a whole is a strong run blocking unit but continues to give up a number of sacks. Perhaps the newly formed combination can find a way to protect their QB.
Physically this group is massive. Both guards are listed over 330 pounds and both tackles are listed at six-foot-six and at least 315 pounds. The smallest player on the line? Center Cabral is “only” six-foot-five, 295 pounds.
The UCLA Football defensive line is going to have its hands full for most of the season and this OL group isn’t going to give them many breaks. Creating confusion up front with stunts and slants is the best bet for this DL. Although you wouldn’t know it from the results, the UCLA Football DL found their way into the backfield often in 2017 but couldn’t make the tackle. They have to start finishing those plays in 2018.
Let’s talk about the true leader of this offense, senior QB, Manny Wilkins. After throwing for almost 3,300 yards, Wilkins decided to return for his final year of eligibility much to the delight of ASU fans. Wilkins also tossed 20 scores while adding another seven on the ground. His deep ball accuracy improved while he cleaned up his turnover efficiency. In 2016 Wilkins averaged an interception every 35 attempts. In 2017 that dropped to every 51 attempts with 99 more attempts.
While he’s been great at protecting the ball, the ASU offense hasn’t asked him to shoulder the load much. In the 2016-2017 seasons, across 25 games started, Wilkins threw 35 or more passes eight times. In those eight games, the Sun Devils notched three wins to five losses. To put that in perspective, former UCLA Football QB Josh Rosen threw 35 or more passes 12 times during the 2016-17 seasons and that was only with 17 games played.
What we want to take away from those numbers above is that ASU didn’t ask Wilkins to do it all for his team but while the team breaks in a mostly new RB group, might the play-calling require more from him more frequently? Only time will tell.