UC - Davis @ Arizona State preview

THE STORY: Arizona State begins the 2011 season unranked, but the Sun Devils have all the weapons to change that in a hurry. With 19 returning starters and a favorable schedule, Arizona State is poised to represent the South in the Pac-12 title game.
UC Davis is beginning its final season in the Great West Conference, where the Aggies were picked to finish third in the preseason coaches’ poll. The school joins the Big Sky Conference in 2012.

TV: FS Arizona. LINE: Arizona State -35.5

ABOUT UC DAVIS (2010: 6-5, 3-1 Great West Conference): The Aggies return 16 starters from 2010, including quarterback Randy Wright, who passed for 2,432 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman last season. Four starters are back on the offensive line, giving hope to a running game that averaged just 2.7 yards a carry last season. The wide receivers are young and largely unproven. The Aggies lost their two leading tacklers to graduation, but coach Bob Biggs is bullish about his defensive backs.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (2010: 6-6, 4-5 Pac-10): Quarterback Brock Osweiler looks to build on his strong finish from last season, while the defense is led by All-American candidate Vontaze Burfict, considered by some to be the best linebacker in the nation. For the first time since 2003, Arizona State returns all five starters on the offensive line. That continuity should help the Sun Devils, who tied for 95th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks allowed last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State led the Pac-10 in rushing defense last season, allowing just 120 yards per game.

2. According to analyst Phil Steele’s strength-of-schedule rankings, Arizona State is 40th out of 120 FBS teams and ninth in the Pac-12.

3. This is only the second meeting between Arizona State and UC Davis, and the first since 1940.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 52, UC Davis 10. The Aggies simply aren’t in Arizona State’s class, and the Sun Devils should be able to name the score in the season opener for both teams.