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Pac-12 South Notebook: Is Arizona State already doomed for disappointment?

Published Sep. 29, 2015 12:11 p.m. ET

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Arizona State (2-2) heads into enemy territory Saturday, hoping to hand UCLA (4-0) its first loss.

The Sun Devils, once considered a threat to win the Pac-12 South, were just about eliminated from “contender” status when Utah emerged dominant vs. Oregon. Now, UCLA and Utah and USC are the favorites to win the division. Is it too early to press the panic mode button at Arizona State?

No. 7 UCLA opened up as a 13.5-point favorite, fresh off of dismantling Arizona, 56-30, in Tuscon. Meanwhile, Arizona State trailed USC 35-0 at the half and failed to ever get anything started.

The Sun Devils appear an afterthought, though it’s not all bad news in Tempe. Arizona State running back Demario Richard is tied for first in the Pac-12 for touchdowns, with six. He’s second in all-purpose yards, boasting 614. Richard is an offensive coordinator’s dream, averaging 107.3 rushing yards per game.

"This is the best team we've had,” said Arizona State head coach Todd Graham, according to SB Nation’s HouseOfSparky.com. “We just aren't playing like it."

Fortunately for the Sun Devils, these rocky waters are not unfamiliar. In 2013, Arizona State lost 42-28 on the road vs. Stanford. After faltering to Notre Dame two weeks later, ASU won seven games in a row to end the regular season 10-3. Their efforts earned the team a spot in the Pac-12 Championship.

Arizona State was also crushed last season, losing 62-27 to UCLA. ASU responded with five consecutive victories, highlighted by wins over No. 17 Utah and No. 10 Notre Dame.

ASU does not have an easy road to redemption. After UCLA, the Sun Devils battle an intimidating Utah team on the road before matching up against Oregon team in Tempe. Their game against rival Arizona will not be easy, though this year it’s at home. A trip to Berkeley to face Jared Goff and a dazzling Cal offense won’t be a walk in the park, either.

If the Sun Devils can turn it around, there are a few areas that require significant improvement. They need to quit fumbling (13 fumbles through four games, losing the ball seven times) and they need to score the ball in the red zone. Three weeks in a row, ASU failed to convert a first-and-goal attempt.

It may not be over for Arizona State, yet, but a loss to UCLA might be a nail in the coffin.

Is Utah the best team in college football?

Undefeated Utah made a statement in its 62-20 rout of Oregon. The victory earned the Utes the No. 10 spot in the AP poll.

Is that a fair enough ranking for a team that few if any mentioned in the College Football Playoff picture before the season? Outkick The Coverage’s Clay Travis placed Utah as the No. 1 team in the country after Week 4. Bruce Feldman echoed those sentiments, also placing Utah No. 1 overall. One voter from the Knoxville News Sentinel included Utah at No. 1 overall in the most recent AP Top rankings.

If you had heard about that before the season, it may have seemed laughable. After huge victories over Michigan and Oregon, however, the Utes just keep rolling. The Utes have scored 38.8 points per game, allowing 18.8.

The momentum is there for Utah, heading into a bye week before it takes on No. 24 Cal at home on Oct. 10.

In Travis Wilson, the Utes have an experienced senior quarterback ranked best in the nation in Total Quarterback Rating on ESPN.com. They also have an experienced running back, senior Devontae Booker, ranked No. 3 overall in the nation for rushing attempts (106) through four games.

Let’s drop the question about whether Utah has the best special teams unit in the country. After embarrassing Oregon on special teams this weekend, they are officially a force to be reckoned with.

Tom Hackett, winner of the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week Award, proved his worth once again with this miraculous grab. On the other side of the special teams unit, Utah executed a totally unbelievable misdirection punt return. Returner Britain Covey leads the Pac-12 with 149 yards (with a touchdown) on punt returns. Cory Butler-Byrd is the only player in the Pac-12 to record a kick return touchdown.

Defensive back Marcus Williams leads the Pac-12 with three interceptions. Linebacker Pita Taumoepenu leads the Pac-12 with three sacks. Senior Jason Fanaika leads the conference with two forced fumbles.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham is a veteran head coach who has led his team to make all the right decisions. Through four weeks, Utah arguably has the best resume in all of college football.

Around the Pac-12 South

Arizona locker-room sign warns UCLA of heat; Bruins reportedly remove it. Read more, click here.

Watch Arizona players perform The Haka before game vs. UCLA, click here.