Blogging with the Devils

Arizona State at California
12:30 p.m. Saturday; Memorial Stadium; Berkeley, Calif.

California has concerns at quarterback, but no worries about the man who snaps the ball. Center Alex Mack is the Pac-10’s best at his position.

Usually, a 42-7 victory suggests a dominating performance by the offense, but California’s rout of Colorado State last week — yes, Virginia, the Pac-10 can beat the Mountain West Conference — is an exception.

The Golden Bears scored touchdowns via a blocked punt, interception and punt return, camouflaging offensive shortcomings that have coach Jeff Tedford contemplating a quarterback change before Saturday’s contest against Arizona State.

Tedford’s offense is second in the conference and 20th in the nation in total yardage, but first-string QB Kevin Riley completed just six passes for 59 yards against Colorado State and was replaced by Nate Longshore, the starter the last two seasons.

“We weren’t sharp in the passing game,” Tedford said. “If a guy didn’t play well, you have to look at making adjustments.”

California definitely will have a new running back. Jahvid Best, he of the close-up vomit shot in the Golden Bears’ upset loss at Maryland on Sept. 13, suffered a dislocated elbow last week and will miss at least one game. He is averaging 105.3 yards rushing a contest this season.

After the Maryland loss, California responded with more contact during practice.

“Coach Tedford did his part not to let happen again,” linebacker Zack Follett said. “We had tough, physical practices. We did more hitting than we’ve ever done in a week.”

With no game last week, ASU took a similar practice approach, ramping up aggression following consecutive losses against Nevada-Las Vegas and Georgia.

BURNING ISSUE: The injury list has not reached Washington State-level proportions, but the Golden Bears are limping at key positions. Best was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine how long he will be sidelined. He joins guard Chris Guarnero (toe; out for season) and tackle Mike Tepper (pectoral) as spectators on offense. Defensive end Rulon Davis is out for six weeks with a leg ailment, and safety Bernard Hicks missed the Colorado State game with a bruised thigh.

OFFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: It is somewhat remarkable that California’s offense is as statistically-highly-ranked as it is, considering that Riley has yet to find a groove with his receivers. Best was the team’s leading pass-catcher (with three receptions) against Colorado State, and the only wide receiver with more than one catch was LaReylle Cunningham. The Golden Bears, as usual, have depth at running back, so Best’s absence should not be a crushing blow. Backup Shane Vereen is averaging 8.0 yards a carry (35 rushes for 279 yards) this season.

DEFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: California employs a 3-4 base formation, which the Sun Devils have not yet encountered this season. (Northern Arizona used a three-man front, with three linebackers and five defensive backs.) Save for the Maryland game, the Golden Bears have been solid, with the linebacking corps of Follett, Worrell Williams, Anthony Felder and Eddie Young — one of the top groups in the nation — serving as the defense’s engine. Syd’Quan Thompson is one of the Pac-10’s top cornerbacks.

UNSUNG HERO: This selection is unusual, because center Alex Mack is hardly unsung. However, at a position that the casual fan does not give much attention, Mack should be receiving more. It is not a stretch to suggest that he is the best offensive player, period, in the Pac-10. The 316-pounder with smarts and superb blocking skills figures to have a bright NFL future, and as the Golden Bears try to avoid the late-season swoons that have plagued them, Mack will be a valuable leader by example.

FURTHER READING:

California football official site

Contra Costa Times

San Francisco Chronicle

San Jose Mercury News

Georgia at Arizona State

Kickoff: 5:13 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sun Devil Stadium
TV/Announcers: Ch. 15/Brent Musberger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters (sidelines)
Radio: KTAR (92.3 FM)
Records: Georgia 3-0; ASU 2-1
Rankings: Georgia No. 3 Associated Press/No. 3 USA Today (coaches); ASU unranked/No. 24
Series: First meeting
Tickets: Sold out

SUN DEVILS’ KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Stop the run: The ASU players and coaches have made it clear this week that their cross hairs must be on star Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno. The defense will try to pinch the gaps of Georgia’s offensive line to limit holes for Moreno and the other Bulldogs backs.

2. Get on the blocks: This is the game where the Sun Devils learn how much progress their offensive line has made since the end of last year. Georgia’s front seven, led by defensive tackle Geno Atkins and linebacker Rennie Curran, is very active.

3. Feed off the energy: Yes, this game lost some national luster when ASU lost last week, but fans have been drooling with excitement over the Georgia visit for months. Sun Devil Stadium will be full of electricity, which the home team must use to its advantage.

INJURY REPORT

Georgia
OUT: S Quintin Banks (knee); DL Roderick Battle (neck); DL Jeff Owens (knee); OL Trinton Sturdivant (knee); LB Charles White (Achilles’ tendon) QUESTIONABLE: WR Kenneth Harris (ankle); OL Chris Little (foot); FB Brannan Southerland (foot); LB Marcus Washington (shoulder) PROBABLE: CB Bryan Evans (thumb); TE Bruce Figgins (shoulder); OL Kiante Tripp (ankle); OL Vince Vance (knee)

Arizona State
OUT: S Angelo Fobbs-Valentino (knee); OL Matt Hustad (knee); DOUBTFUL: RB Keegan Herring (hamstring); LB Brandon Magee (pectoral) QUESTIONABLE: DL Spencer Gasu (back) PROBABLE: DL Saia Falahola (hand); TE Andrew Pettes (groin); LB Gerald Munns (finger); RB Dimitri Nance (thumb)

Running back Knowshon Moreno, here making his celebrated hurdle of a Central Michigan defender two weeks ago, is averaging 6.7 yards a carry this season. (University of Georgia photo)

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

Georgia’s offense has the skill-position power with quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno, but if the offensive line (no synergy) and receivers (drops) do not have their issues settled, the Sun Devils have a chance to least hang around. Coach Mark Richt has suggested a line shakeup but as not disclosed his starters; the five names listed below were atop the depth chart at the beginning of the week. The defense has been opportunistic but, cornerback Asher Allen said, inconsistent is pass coverage; as a result, the Bulldogs’ secondary is eager to prove itself against a school from the throw-crazy Pac-10. Richt’s Georgia teams are 26-4 on the road, including nine wins in 11 games against ranked opponents.

SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS

ASU would love to regain the passing proficiency it showed in the first two games, but it is possible that Georgia could copy the two-deep coverage that was successful for Nevada-Las Vegas. If the ground game cannot get going — a task that could be especially challenging against a Georgia defense that is 12th in the nation against the rush — Carpenter will have to be at his smart, accurate best. The defense allowed UNLV to control the ball during the second half, something that caused Georgia’s methodical offense to smile. The Sun Devils say that the execution and intensity in practice has been better this week. They need to be right.

THE INTRIGUE

What is at stake? ASU can regain its confidence by making a huge splash on the national stage, build momentum for a tough three-game Pac-10 stretch of California, Southern California and Oregon and bring back some of the honor the conference lost a week ago. For Georgia, a loss likely gives them no margin for error in its objective of winning a national title. The Bulldogs need to iron out their kinks on offense, especially with the SEC schedule kicking into high gear next week. Other than that, not much.

TEAM REPORTS

GEORGIA OFFENSE

SE 1 Mohamed Massaquoi; LT 75 Kiante Tripp; LG 72 Vince Vance; C 63 Chris Davis; RG 71 Cordy Glenn; RT 60 Clint Boling; TE 86 Tripp Chandler; FL 8 A.J. Green; QB 7 Matthew Stafford; TB 24 Knowshon Moreno; FB 49 Shaun Chapas

GEORGIA DEFENSE

DE 99 Jarius Wynn; DT 95 Corvey Irvin; DT 56 Geno Atkins; DE 58 DeMarcus Dobbs; SLB 50 Darryl Gamble; MLB 33 Dannell Ellerbe; WLB 35 Rennie Curran; CB 3 Bryan Evans; CB 2 Asher Allen; FS 9 Reshad Jones; SS 5 CJ Byrd

Georgia 2008 schedule

Georgia 2008 statistics

Georgia NCAA ranking summary

ASU OFFENSE

SE 1 Michael Jones; LT; 59 Jon Hargis; LG 67 Shaun Lauvao; C 56 Thomas Altieri; RG 63 Paul Fanaika; RT 77 Adam Tello; TE 84 Jovon Williams; SLOT 5 Kerry Taylor; FL 13 Chris McGaha; QB 12 Rudy Carpenter; RB 31 Dimitri Nance

ASU DEFENSE

LE 49 Luis Vasquez; DT 77 Saia Falahola; DT 90 David Smith; RE 58 Dexter Davis; SLB 44 Travis Goethel; MLB 47 Gerald Munns; WLB 25 Mike Nixon; CB 3 Omar Bolden; CB 31 Pierre Singfield; FS 14 Troy Nolan; SS 22 Rodney Cox

ASU 2008 schedule

ASU 2008 statistics

ASU 2008 NCAA ranking summary

Few surprises so far as a wave of national TV scheduling for men’s basketball was made official on Wednesday, and there a couple clear indications that Arizona State is drawing outside attention (besides that preseason top-20 ranking).

So far, the Sun Devils have nine national TV games on either Fox Sports Net, an ESPN affiliate or CBS, and that number will increase depending on the Anaheim Classic bracket.

More local TV games will come into play once Fox Sports Arizona finalizes its own TV schedule (at the very least, the ASU-Arizona tilt on Jan. 21 in Tucson should be a local TV game).

For the first time since Jan. 2005, the Sun Devils will be on CBS when they play against three-time Final Four player UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 17.

In addition, there are four Pac-10 national TV games on FSN which start at 8 p.m. MDT or later (vs. Oregon State, USC and Arizona, and at Oregon). It’s a deadline killer for some of us, but a good TV time for exposure purposes.

If the turkey and stuffing doesn’t put you to sleep over Thanksgiving weekend, the Sun Devils will be at the Anaheim Classic for three games. Two of those are expected to be late games (Nov. 28 and Nov. 30), and if they do well enough, will be broadcast on ESPN2.

As for the two series (four games each) against the Bay Area and Washington schools, those game times and TV situations should be determined in the next couple weeks. ASU’s final Pac-10 regular season road games at the Washington schools could also become TV games, depending on whether those are of significance toward determining the Pac-10 championship or conference seedings heading into the Pac-10 tournament.

Georgia at Arizona State
5:13 p.m. Saturday; Sun Devil Stadium

Thanks to improved passing touch and decision making, Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford has developed into a top NFL prospect.

The fact that his team keeps dropping in the polls as it keeps winning is, at least for now, of no concern to Georgia coach Mark Richt.

The Bulldogs were a preseason No. 1 selection that fell to the second spot after the opening Saturday of the season, then descended to third after winning at South Carolina last week.

“It hasn’t been that hard to deal with,” Richt said. “Outside our locker room, yes, it’s hard to get people to calm down. Look, the preseason polls are a stab in the dark, and as the season rolls on, people have a better idea of who they want to vote for.”

Richt can speak with such confidence because his team is part of the SEC, which is considered the best conference in the country. And the respect that commands among pollsters and the Bowl Championship Series computers is substantial.

Five of the top 10 teams in the current Associated Press rankings are from the SEC. Last year, two-loss Louisiana State was tabbed for the national-title game.

As a result, Georgia controls its own destiny — win the conference, and it has a pretty good chance of playing for No. 1.

“We all know we have the type of schedule that will put us back in business if we’re able to take care of business,” Richt said. “The question is: Are we going to take care of business? But that’s the case for everybody.”

BURNING ISSUE: When you are ranked third in the country, loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball and a popular pick to win the national championship, you do not have much to worry about. If there are some kinks remaining to be worked out, it is on the offensive line. The Bulldogs’ best blocker, left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, is out for the year with a knee injury. Kiante Tripp was tabbed to take Sturdivant’s place. Tripp and both guards, Vince Vance and Cordy Glenn, are new starters. Center Chris Davis moved from guard. Last week, South Carolina’s defense held the Bulldogs to just 3.0 yards a rush and blitzed effectively, particularly from the cornerback spot.

OFFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: The Bulldogs boast two of the top players in the country at their positions. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, a junior who could be the top pick in the NFL Draft in April, is the SEC’s top-rated passer, throwing for 634 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Knowshon Moreno is averaging 6.7 yards a carry with seven TDs. The receivers are solid, with starting split end Mohamed Massaquoi leading the team with 10 receptions for 151 yards and two scores. Whether lining up in a three-receiver set or an I-formation, Georgia looks to run first.

DEFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: This unit was the star of the South Carolina victory, denying the Gamecocks two potential second-half scores by forcing turnovers inside the 20-yard line. The 4-3 formation has a standout at each layer: Tackle Geno Atkins is consistently penetrating the opponent’s backfield, linebacker Rennie Curran (just a sophomore) has developed into an aggressive tackler, and cornerback Asher Allen is assigned to cover the opposition’s best receiver. The Bulldogs are allowing 59.7 rushing yards a game, 12th-fewest in the nation.

UNSUNG HERO: A freshman in a loaded offense, flanker A.J. Green has been relatively ignored. However, he likely will not be overlooked for long. With South Carolina concentrating on stopping Massaquoi, Green was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver, with three catches for 60 yards. His 39-yard reception on third-and-21 helped set up a second-quarter field goal.

FURTHER READING:

Georgia football official site

Athens Banner-Herald

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

His 35-yard field-goal attempt in overtime blocked, Arizona State kicker Thomas Weber walks off the field as Nevada-Las Vegas players celebrate their 23-20 victory on Saturday. (Darryl Webb/Tribune)

Think Arizona State’s overtime loss against Nevada-Las Vegas on Saturday was bad? Since 1980, here are five others that were a nightmare for Sun Devil fans to sit through:

Sept. 8, 1984: Oklahoma State 45, ASU 3 — Coach Darryl Rogers was dumbfounded that some preseason publications had his squad at No. 1. In the season opener, ASU made those prognosticators look like fools, as an Oklahoma State squad led by two future All-Pros, running back Thurman Thomas and defensive end Leslie O’Neal, handed the Sun Devils their most lopsided loss since a 42-0 setback against Hardin-Simmons in 1947.

Oct. 6, 1984: California 19, ASU 14 — Things did not get much better as ’84 progressed, as the Sun Devils were gracious enough to hand a Golden Bears team that would finish 2-9 their only Pac-10 victory. ASU wound up 5-6, and after the season, Rogers bolted to become coach of the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

Nov. 12, 1988: Southern California 50, ASU 0 — In a game broadcast on ABC, legendary announcer Keith Jackson said that Sun Devil punter Mike Schuh “can really air-mail it.” That was the nicest thing said on the air about ASU that day, as the second-ranked Trojans amassed 691 yards. The Sun Devils did not run a play on USC’s side of the field until 10 minutes remained in the game.

Sept. 18, 1999: New Mexico State 35, ASU 7 — Sun Devil fans are still wondering how in the world this happened. New Mexico State, 0-14 against ranked teams since 1979, piled up 565 yards against No. 22 ASU. The Sun Devils never recovered, losing two of their next three games en route to a 6-6 finish.

Sept. 30, 2006: Oregon 48, ASU 13 — For all intents and purposes, this loss sealed the fate of former coach Dirk Koetter. After the Sun Devils slept-walked through a conference game it had to win, players questioned the team’s preparation and desire. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter completed just six passes for 33 yards.

Nevada-Las Vegas at Arizona State

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sun Devil Stadium
TV/Announcers: FSN Arizona/Trey Bender, Juan Roque and Jody Jackson (sidelines)
Radio: KTAR (92.3 FM and 620 AM)
Records: UNLV 1-1, ASU 2-0
Rankings: UNLV unranked; ASU No. 15 Associated Press/No. 13 USA Today (coaches)
Series: First meeting
Tickets: Available at Sun Devil Stadium ticket office, by calling (480) 727-0000 or online at thesundevils.com

SUN DEVILS’ KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Red zone success: Scoring touchdowns and not field goals — ASU could not hit the end zone from inside the 10-yard line on its first two possessions against Stanford last week — will be of vital importance as the schedule starts to stiffen.

2. Clog the middle: ASU’s defense kept Stanford running back Toby Gerhart from doing much damage between the tackles last week. UNLV’s Frank “The Tank” Summers is a similarly swift, physical ball carrier.

3. Stay in the lanes: Were the burps on kick coverage last week an aberration, or a growing problem? The Sun Devils cannot get in the habit of giving away field position.

INJURY REPORT

UNLV
OUT: LB Starr Fuimaono (knee) QUESTIONABLE: DE Thor Pili (illness) PROBABLE: OL John Gianninoto (knee); DL Jacob Hales (elbow); OL Evan Marchal (ankle); LB Ronnie Paulo (knee); CB Quinton Pointer (elbow)
Arizona State
OUT: S Angelo Fobbs-Valentino (knee); OL Matt Hustad (knee); LB Brandon Magee (pectoral); LB Gerald Munns (finger) DOUBTFUL: DL Spencer Gasu (back) QUESTIONABLE: RB Keegan Herring (hamstring); TE Andrew Pettes (groin); WR Brandon Smith (hamstring) PROBABLE: WR Nate Kimbrough (ankle)

UNLV receiver Casey Flair has caught at least one pass in 37 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in the nation.

SCOUTING THE REBELS

UNLV’s spread offense is talented and has not made many mistakes, as the Rebels are one of just two teams in the nation (Florida is the other) that do not have a turnover. Sophomore quarterback Omar Clayton, a fifth-string walk-on at the start of last season, is growing into the role, and he has two veteran receivers in Ryan Wolfe and Casey Flair. The defense took a hit with the loss of linebacker Starr Fuimaono (knee) and was worn down in the second half at Utah last week. A more physical ASU offense will provide an even bigger test.

SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS

Expect ASU to stick with what has worked the last two games, forcing the opposing defense to cover the entire field against quarterback Rudy Carpenter while mixing in more of the run. Carpenter is playing with confidence, sticking in the pocket to go through his progressions long enough to find nine different receivers in each of the first two games. And he has shown a willingness to throw the ball away instead of forcing a pass. After imploring itself to create turnovers, the Sun Devils’ defense did just that against Stanford, with three interceptions.

THE INTRIGUE

Four more quarters, and the countdown to Georgia can finally start for ASU. While UNLV’s football resumé is thin, the Rebels are capable of pulling an upset — although, considering how Erickson’s teams routinely take care of business against those should beat, a shocker is unlikely. Saturday is the Sun Devils’ best chance to fine-tune things for Georgia, an endeavor to take seriously. In search of its first winning season since 2000, UNLV would like to build momentum for two straight home games against Iowa State and Nevada, two squads that it should be competitive against.

TEAM REPORTS

UNLV OFFENSE

WR 18 Phillip Payne; WR 88 Ryan Wolfe; LT 75 Matt Murphy; LG 78 Johan Asiata; C 66 John Gianninoto; RG 59 Joe Hawley; RT 73 Evan Marchal; WR 84 Rodelin Anthony; WR 80 Casey Flair; QB 2 Omar Clayton; RB 4 Frank Summers

UNLV DEFENSE

DE 99 Isaako Aaitui; DT 68 Martin Tevaseu; DT 93 Malo Taumua; DE 94 Thor Pili; SLB 33 Jason Beauchamp; MLB 56 Ronnie Paulo; WLB 55 Nate Carter; CB 7 Geoffery Howard; CB 10 Quinton Pointer; FS 8 Daryl Forte; SS 23 Terrance Lee

UNLV 2008 schedule

UNLV 2008 statistics

UNLV NCAA ranking summary

ASU OFFENSE

SE 1 Michael Jones; LT; 59 Jon Hargis; LG 67 Shaun Lauvao; C 56 Thomas Altieri; RG 63 Paul Fanaika; RT 77 Adam Tello; TE 84 Jovon Williams; SLOT 5 Kerry Taylor; FL 13 Chris McGaha; QB 12 Rudy Carpenter; RB 31 Dimitri Nance

ASU DEFENSE

LE 49 Luis Vasquez; DT 77 Saia Falahola; DT 90 David Smith; RE 58 Dexter Davis; SLB 44 Travis Goethel; MLB 25 Mike Nixon; WLB 2 Ryan McFoy; CB 3 Omar Bolden; CB 31 Pierre Singfield; FS 14 Troy Nolan; SS 22 Rodney Cox

ASU 2008 schedule

ASU 2008 statistics

ASU 2008 NCAA ranking summary

It took a little longer than most schools, but Arizona State finalized its schedule this week, and while there’s no Xavier this year — that two-year deal expired after last season, and both coaches despise playing one another because of their close relationship — there’s no Montana State either (but there is Idaho State).

The slate wound up being average, not great. Here’s a few nuggets about what shook down, and of course, it’s hindsight now:

ASU tried to get a game with Georgetown in the Pete Newell Classic, but it didn’t work out.  At the moment, I don’t know what logistics fell apart on that front, but my best guess is something on the Georgetown side didn’t jive. 

The San Diego State matchup is another two-year deal, so SDSU will come to Wells Fargo Arena in the 2009-10 season.

The Dec. 14 game against Indiana-Purdue Indianapolis (IUPUI) is at US Airways Center.

ASU wanted Brigham Young to be a home game, and then play another team in the Stadium Shootout at University of Phoenix Stadium (along with Minnesota and Louisville). The Sun Devils had to play at the stadium because it is a NCAA regional site in March.

Here’s last year’s final RPI rankings from ASU’s 2007-08 nonconference slate: Xavier (9), Nebraska (96), Illinois (104, ouch), Louisiana State (174, another ouch), Delaware State (207), Cal Poly (216), Coppin State (228), Montana State (236), Florida Gulf Coast (291), Idaho (299), St. Francis (314) and Princeton (331).

Here’s last year’s final RPI rankings for this season’s nonconference slate: BYU (25), Charlotte (68), IUPUI (69), San Diego State (82), Nebraska (96), Pepperdine (204), Central Connecticut State (208), Mississippi Valley St. (223), Idaho State (258), Jackson State (270). 

Depending on how the Anaheim Classic shakes out, the Sun Devils will play either Baylor (43) or Providence (112) in the second game, and could also face either St. Mary’s (36), Wake Forest (100) or Texas-El Paso (102).

Of course, last year’s RPI can be worthless. Playing Illinois and LSU got the Sun Devils nowhere come Selection Sunday. So, too, did playing eight games against teams which finished higher than 200.

Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit work ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Tempe before the Southern California-Arizona State game in 2005.

Arizona State officials could learn if ESPN’s “College GameDay” will visit Tempe along with second-ranked Georgia on Sept. 20 as soon as Saturday night, after the No. 15 Sun Devils’ contest against Nevada-Las Vegas.

The Georgia-ASU game, which kicks off at 5:13 p.m., will be produced by ESPN and broadcast on ABC.

ESPN does not announce its upcoming “GameDay” site until the Sunday before the game, and the network is typically hushed during the decision process. The other game big enough to merit a visit from Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit on Sept. 20 is Louisiana State at Auburn, but Georgia-ASU might have an edge due to logistics.

Herbstreit, who also serves as an analyst for ABC’s “Saturday Night College Football” broadcasts, is slated to work Georgia-ASU. While Herbstreit can get from the “GameDay” site to his ABC contest just fine by plane, it makes sense that ESPN would want to give him as many non-travel days as possible.

In 2007, Herbstreit did “GameDay” and an ABC broadcast from the same location five times. This week’s Ohio State-Southern California game will be the third time in three Saturdays this season that Herbstreit does not have to fly.

“GameDay” has been on location with ASU twice: In 2005, when the Sun Devils hosted Southern California, and last year, for a visit to Oregon.

Nevada-Las Vegas at Arizona State
7 p.m. Saturday; Sun Devil Stadium

UNLV running back Frank Summers, who scored two touchdowns at Utah on Saturday, packs 230 pounds into his 5-foot-10 frame. (Salt Lake Tribune photo)

The first three seasons of Mike Sanford’s coaching tenure at Nevada-Las Vegas have produced two wins each, extending the Rebels’ streak of years without a winning record to seven.

A victory against Utah State on Aug. 30 stoked hopes that 2008 might be the year of the turnaround, but inconsistency on offense and injuries on defense contributed to a 42-21 loss at Utah last week. The Rebels defeated the Utes 27-0 last season.

“We have some corrections to make and things to improve on,” Sanford said. “The thing I feel encouraged about is the things that we did (against Utah) are correctable. Adversity is a part of life and football, and you have to deal with that, which is something we didn’t do in the second half last week.

“We have to eliminate penalties and play four quarters consistently. In reality, we have not played four good quarters of football yet.”

BURNING ISSUE: Who fills the gaping hole in the defense created by the loss of linebacker Starr Fuimaono, who is lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee? It is not a stretch to say that Fuimaono, who had a team-high 14 tackles in the Rebels’ season-opening win against Utah State, was UNLV’s top defensive player. Jason Beauchamp moves from his strong-side starting linebacker spot to replace Fuimaono on the weak side, leaving redshirt freshman Nate Carter as the first-team SLB. Carter will have to grow up fast against ASU’s productive offense.

OFFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: There is a lot to like here. The Rebels, who operate out of the spread, have some of the best skill players in the Mountain West Conference, led by Frank Summers, a short-but-powerfully-built running back who rushed for 928 yards and six touchdowns last season. Ryan Wolfe and Casey Flair, who both caught more than 50 passes in 2007, provide receiving experience, and freshman Phillip Payne has caught a touchdown pass in both games this year. The offensive line is big and experienced, but sophomore quarterback Omar Clayton (five career starts) figures to get better as he plays more.

DEFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: This unit, which works out of a 4-3 formation, had to replace both defensive ends and linebacker Beau Bell, the 2007 Mountain West defensive player of the year. The cupboard was thinned more by the elbow injuries suffered by defensive tackle Jacob Hales and cornerback Quinton Painter, who both missed the opening game. And last week, Fuimaono and middle linebacker Ronnie Paulo, who suffered a lower-leg bruise but should start this week, went down. Utah pounced on UNLV’s depleted, fatigued defense in the second half, which does not bode well for the date with the Sun Devils.

UNSUNG HERO: Backup quarterback Dack Ishii likely secured the punter’s job at Utah, kicking seven times for a 44.4-yard average. The transfer from Tennessee, who is averaging 42.4 yards on the season, has been battling Brendon Lamers (30.0-yard average on four attempts).

FURTHER READING:

UNLV football official site

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Sun

It’s still too early to think about college basketball Or is it?

(And hasn’t that thought been written in a blog’s opening line somewhere before?)

That said, Athlon Sports will have its college basketball preview on newsstands on Tuesday.

Spoiler alert goes here …

Arizona State is ranked No. 16 and is predicted to reach the Sweet 16 (worthless predictions for sure, but it’s also either lofty praise or unfair expectations, depending on your point of view).

James Harden is listed as a second-team All-American and first-team all-Pac 10 guard, while senior Jeff Pendergraph is a second-team all-conference forward.