There’s no clear favorite in wide-open Pac-12 South
Normally at this time, with Pac-12 competition about to kick off in full force, a front-runner in the South Division has been identified. This season, that’s not the case. “This year, yeah, I think the heavyweights, the emperor has no clothes,” Pac-12 Networks analyst Glenn Parker said before this week’s contests. “Neither USC nor UCLA look like they’re strong enough to do anything where they can just dominate. Utah seems like the big boy on the block right now, and that remains to be seen. … I don’t know that I’ve seen it this completely mediocre from top to bottom.”
The good side of this: Everyone’s a factor.
With Friday’s home win over USC, Utah (4-0, 1-0 in the Pac-12) has positioned itself as the early favorite, and that may not change anytime soon. The Utes' next three games – at California, hosting Arizona and at Oregon State – aren't impossible.
Starting next week, ASU has its schedule shift to a higher level. The Sun Devils visit USC on Saturday followed by a home game against UCLA and a trip to suddenly surging Colorado. The Buffaloes (3-1, 1-0) beat Oregon in Eugene on Saturday.
The Sun Devils’ 3-0 start didn't go overlooked.
“I’m impressed,’’ Parker said. “The reason I say I’m impressed is the coaching job, because, personally, when I watched them (in practice), I didn’t think they had a quarterback. I’m still not sure they do. But it’s good coaching when you can put points up and win and find ways to get it done. … It'll remain to be seen how much of a force they can continue to be as teams get film on them and know what they can and can’t do offensively.”
Ballage returns after injury
Arizona State started Saturday’s contest against California as close to full strength as it had been all season. It didn’t stay that way for long.
With four minutes to go in the first quarter, junior running back Kalen Ballage was tackled after a short, third-down pass. Ballage didn’t immediately get up and eventually had to be helped off the field.
On the sideline, ASU medical staff examined Ballage’s left knee. After 10 minutes, his knee was wrapped in ice and Ballage put a towel over his head, talking to Anikar Chhabra, a chief orthopedic consultant.
For the rest of the half, it didn't look good, but Ballage returned in the second half, which was good news for the Sun Devils.
Along with junior Demario Richard, he has made up one of the Pac-12’s top backfields. In a Sept. 10 win over Texas Tech, Ballage matched an FBS record with eight touchdowns, earning national and Pac-12 player of the week honors.
Entering Saturday’s contest, Ballage led the nation in scoring at 20.7 points per game and was tied for the lead with 10 touchdowns. He had rushed for 255 yards, averaging 6.9 per carry.
Extra points
ASU welcomed back key players Saturday. Senior linebacker Salamo Fiso returned after a three-game absence due to a violation of team standards.
Also, senior receiver Tim White returned to his usual role on offense after missing last week’s game because of an ankle injury. A significant absence: Junior linebacker Christian Sam, who missed his third game with an ankle injury.
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott attended Saturday's game. He planned to tour reconstructed Sun Devil Stadium sometime during the contest.
Contact Doug Haller at 602-4444949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.