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UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Arizona State Sun Devils

By Michael Chavez

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Trelon Smith #19 (R) of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrate with the territorial cup after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Trelon Smith #19 (R) of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrate with the territorial cup after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Kyle Williams #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is congratulated by teammates after catching a 18 yard touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Kyle Williams #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is congratulated by teammates after catching a 18 yard touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

 Special Teams and Analysis

Brandon Ruiz took over for Zane Gonzalez last season and didn’t disappoint. Despite some early struggles, Ruiz found his groove and scored 106 total points over the season for the Sun Devils. At punter, ASU returns Michael Sleep-Dalton who dealt with injuries in 2017. Like the UCLA Football program, the Sun Devils are looking for a boost in the return game. Reports coming in from fall camp can’t stop gushing about the wheels on JUCO RB Isaiah Floyd. Could he be the answer?

Analysis

While this contest won’t take place until early November but it’s never too early to see how this UCLA Football team compares to another team looking to start anew. The PAC-12 South division is a toss-up right now. Three teams are breaking in new coaches and the team across town is looking for a new QB after Sam Darnold was selected third overall by the New York Jets. The UCLA Football Bruins and the ASU Sun Devils both have the opportunity to make plenty of noise but when they come head to head the Bruins great athletes and coaches with a pedigree.

Next. UCLA Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2018 season. dark

New head coach Herm Edwards needs to demonstrate the game hasn’t changed too much for him and that what we saw in the NFL doesn’t define who he is as a coach. Of course, Chip Kelly has much to prove as well. UCLA Football fans want to make sure they’re getting the Kelly of old instead of the Kelly they saw flame out in the NFL. Which coach shows up for which team? I’d be willing to bet history holds true and we see Kelly dominate the college competition once again.

Prediction

UCLA 38- ASU 27