I don't think anyone needs more than one guess as who one of the selections was:

Offensive: Kalen Ballage, Jr., RB, Arizona State

• Tied an NCAA single-game record with eight touchdowns - seven rushing and one receiving - in the in Sun Devils' 68-55 win over Texas Tech in Tempe.
• His record-setting night also included breaking the Pac-12 record for most touchdowns scored in a single game as well as most rushing touchdowns by a single player in conference history. Also outscored 93 FBS teams by himself this weekend.
• Named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll as well as honored with National Performer of the Week, Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week, and CBS National Player of the Week.

Defensive: Sunia Tauteoli, Jr., LB, Salt Lake City
• Returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 Utah lead.
Also intercepted a pass in the third quarter giving him two in the game and in his career.
• Along with six tackles (tied for second on the team), he assisted in the tackle that stopped BYU’s two-point conversion attempt with 18 seconds remaining to secure a 20-19 win over BYU.

Special Teams: Adoree' Jackson, Jr., CB-WR-RET, USC
• Jackson returned a punt for a 77-yard touchdown to give USC a 31-0 third quarter lead against Utah State. It was his third scoring punt return in his career and the 11th TD he has scored (5 receiving, 3 punt returns, 2 kickoff returns and 1 interception).
• Jackson also made 2 tackles on defense in the Trojans' 45-7 win over Utah State.

ALSO NOMINATED:
Offensive: Chad Hansen, CAL; Sefo Liufau, COLO; Royce Freeman, ORE; Soso Jamabo, UCLA; Juju Smith-Schuster, USC; Jake Browning, WASH
Defensive: De'Chavon 'Gump' Hayes, ASU; Jalen Jelks, ORE; Randall Goforth, UCLA; Cameron Smith, USC
Special Teams: Zane Gonzalez, ASU; Ishmael Adams, UCLA; Andy Phillips, UTAH

This is huge news. He may not play much but getting his feet wet vs UTSA allow for some real reps vs Cal. Great new!!!!

Eric Smith's article from today's press conference

I know it's only 2 games, but I believe Graham made the right choice. Wilkins continues to show uncanny poise and continues to impress.

I'm very excited for the future

For obvious reasons ASU isn't calling the direct snap formation the Wildcat, but rather the “Sparky.” This was Chip Lindsey's call.

I was just curious so I cracked out a little quick research (because, why not?)...

After week two, ASU is one of only six FBS teams to have two running backs and a quarterback each to have at least 100 net rush yards. The others are Air Force, Georgia Southern, Houston, Notre Dame and Ohio. Of course, there's a long way to go to determine if this sort of standing will stay in tact, but the early returns on the eagerly anticipated rushing attack have been positive.

For the heck of it, to use these two game totals and project them over a 12-game season, Wilkins, Ballage and Richard would combine for more than 3,100 rush yards.

What is the best solution for this asu defense?

Offense appears to be remedied from last years ills. Lindseyvis committed to running and not getting cute in the red zone. I am happy about that so enough said.

Defensively I saw two things last night. First half asu ran a 3-4 no pressure 8 back and didn't give up huge plays at first but they also couldn't stop it. Then they did this bizarre prevent at end of first half where they were just begging for Mahones to get first downs and not touchdowns. Didn't work.

Two other things: missed tackles and playing out of positions. Two culprits here are Tyler whiley (responsible for over 140 yards and two tds on two plays) and Tyler Whikey again (out of position a deep route down the seam) and also aj Latu at devil backer (nice experiment that's not working. To be fair he did play hard and I respect him but he can't drop back in coverage). Both got burned and can't cover in space.

Orr and Hayes tackled better this week but both got burned. I thought as a whole considering what is asked of them this week they played ok. I'll leave them Alone just this once.

So please respond to these questions about the defense:

1. Should asu abandon the devilbacker position this year and run a conventional 4-3 but dial pressure as needed (Todd Graham's preference)?

2. Should Whiley ever see the field again? (Can't tackle or cover in space. Also is out of position on most plays).

3. Blitzing worked late last night and caused the few stops they had and the two picks. Should asu go back to bringing the house? If so on how many plays per game should asu blitz? What percentage?

4. Ball was an instant spark plug last night in second half. Do you think Rhodes and Chandler will provide that as well sooner than later or am I insane for suggesting that they would play better than Whiley, Adams or Echols?

Since these are the remaining issues I would love to hear from you all about how to solve the defensive viruses.

DevilsDigest.com ‏@DevilsDigest 7m7 minutes ago
ASU's home game vs. Cal on Saturday, September 24 kicks off at 7 pm and airs on ESPN2

Will air on the Pac-12 Network on Monday at 6pm & 9pm

I found this on one of the TT sites and some of the are quite amusing. I choose to edit some of the more colorful ones. Be clear that I'm not casting stones as we currently live in a glass house.

Here are ten of them:

1) Well make you a heisman candidate in 1 half
2) The Heisman Simulator
3) Texas Tech Red Carpet Raiders
4) We kept the guy from doubling his career TDs
5) SWAG-Seriously Without Any Guts
6) The Dooms Day (but not the way you're thinking) defense.
7) The pin cushion - everyone sticks it to them
8) Want to win a Heisman? Schedule Texas Tech.
9) Defense is optional
10) Texas Tech Defense - We make Your Dreams Come True!

Jaelen Who?

I love me some Jaelen Strong and he will forever hold a spot in my heart, but I think Harry could be on a whole other level.

He catches EVERYTHING, and seems to be more physical and faster than Strong.

Very excited to see what he can do every week. He is special

Lots of ground to cover here obviously and always love to hear your thoughts.

Texas Tech at ASU Postgame Thoughts

This dude is legit, I think we can say now he dialed it down vs NAU...weren't we fooled. Think most us were confused by his play calls going through the air so much especially at the start of the game, and based on the deficiencies of TT not being able to stop the run going back to last season. Other then a few draws during the game and most of them at the end to chew up clock, every play was different...I didn't know a playbook could be so big, a far cry from Norvell's minimal lack of plays. That wheel route to the TE (Kohl) was on fire...JJ Wilson should be begging Lindsey to put him in, I think Kohl should have scored on that one but decided to lower his head, JJ Wilson would have had better field awareness and ability to punch it in, but Kohl is going to have a huge season under Lindsey. I also like Lindsey being in the booth, he may be able to dissect defenses better that way. And with Jay Norvell all over on the sidelines firing up guys, that is a great one two combo to have.

Losing 21-3 against Grambling State in the 3rd.

after 2 starts

MW 48-64 74.0% 531 yds 8.30 ypa, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 3 sacks 24 carries, 144 yds 6.0 ypc, 1 TD
TK 33-42 78.6% 496 yds 11.81ypa 2 TDs, 0 INTs,? sacks, 11 carries, 69 yds 6.27 ypc, 0 TDs

Very similar opponents...both played NAU 1st and then TK played Illinois

Manny now faces UTSA where he should do damage and then Cal who has a similar D to TTU (TK then faced Mizzou and Utah)

Morning Mates...

Today's Topic = WOW

I've seen a lot of memorable Sun Devil games and the one last night against the Red Raiders has to be right up there with the best of them, even though we gave up 612 yards (540 passing yards) to Tech and 55 points, while the Devils scored 68 points and won...

We didn't have any turnovers while Tech had two INTs and gave us a safety early in the game...most importantly, we were 7-7 in the Red Zone thanks to Ballage and our line that made it happen, although Chip Lindsey had something to do with how it was designed and run so my hat is off to him...

The big difference for me in the game was the rushing stat where the Devils dominated that with 301 yards to only 72 for the Red Raiders which, again, validates, I think, my old saying that you "pass for show but rush for the dough"...

Special teams were also very good last night as no kick-offs were returned and our punts kept the Raiders in a hole on many occasions...

Wilkins may have "only" put up 351 passing yards to Mahomes 540 yards but Manny did not have any interceptions while Mahomes had two, both to Gump Hayes, and those were probably the difference in the game after acknowledging what Ballage did that was just spectacular...

Defensively, we improved in the second half but still gave up way too many big plays, which most PAC teams will exploit in the future, since most opponents will have good to great QBs and receivers that can take advantage of our deficits back there and we still have plenty of them...

This game, I think, shows that last week's NAU game was taken a little too negatively by many of us, including myself, and I'm not going to read too much into this game since Tech's defense is really lousy...

That said, I thought our offense had a chance to be good this season and they sure looked good last night, even if the Tech defense is poor, and I thought our defense would be improved but, so far, I don't see much improvement, keeping in mind that Mahomes is a special QB and that the Red Raiders offense under Kliff Kingsbury is very potent...

He does kind of remind one of former ASU coach Dirk Koetter, I think, and, unfortunately, our recent defenses kind of remind me of some of Dirk's defenses while he was at the school, which is obviously not a compliment...

Fortunately, for our defense, they are not going to face too many other QBs this season that can match Mahomes as a passer and scramble-runner all in one package but there are plenty of other very good PAC QBs, as mentioned, that can really exploit our defense if it doesn't improve much...

This win against Tech means, I think, that we could have a very good season if we continue to improve on both sides of the ball...I like what I see of Wilkins and our offense but still have a lot of reservations about our defense but no such reservations about our special teams...

I also think our coaching staff is the best we've had at ASU so far and hope it continues to improve as well...if we can get our defense to stop giving up big plays we'll have a chance to, maybe, compete for the PAC championship...if not, we will win only 6-7 games...

Around the PAC, the Huskies are looking strong and the Cougars are very disappointing so far but they have the offensive tools to beat anyone on any given day...

That was some game last night......wow..!!!

Did the game last night change your opinion of the Devils in terms of where they will finish this season..??

It only reinforced my opinion that the Devils will win 9-10+ games, especially if we can straighten some things out on defense...

G'day Mates and Go Devils!!!

DevilsDigest.com ‏@DevilsDigest 1h1 hour ago
In this week's USA Today's Amway Coaches' Poll Arizona State received 7 votes. AP Poll will be released at 11 am. http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll/2017/2

DevilsDigest.com ‏@DevilsDigest 34s34 seconds ago
ASU receiving one vote in this Week's @AP_Top25 Poll http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll

OFFENSE VS. TEXAS TECH: ASU's 652 yards of total offense vs. Texas Tech is the most in a regulation game since the 2005 season and the sixth-most in the past 21 seasons. ASU had 742 yards in last year's triple-overtime game vs. Oregon.

TOP 10 TOTAL OFFENSE GAMES (1996-PRESENT)
773, Northwestern (Sep. 17, 2005)
742, Oregon (Oct. 29, 2015)
679, vs. Rutgers (Dec. 27, 2005)
667, #7 Oregon, 3 OT (Oct. 28, 2000)
657, North Carolina (Oct. 5, 2002)
652, Texas Tech (Sept. 10, 2016)

I just don't see CTG letting this one slip away today. Win this game, and things look pretty good going into the pac12 season. Lose this game, and we'd have to regain some momentum.

Stars of the game -- Orr and Perry.
Time for these 2 to make their mark in a big game.

Guys I'm looking forward to watching...

• Think Kohl makes a big time appearance today
• Think Ami comes in and wrecks the middle of the line
• Think Calhoun might be a guy to watch out for
• This could be that "holy smokes" game for Harry, but think Cam steals the receiving show.

We're going to run the ball.. .not worried about that.

All about Orr and Perry today... They play big, we play big.
Think we win by 10.

Announcers and writers for NCAA football appreciate your coverage of Ballage's historic night. However, Whenever I hear that RB in a QB position to and running from the shot gun formation It can not be called anything like that school down south.

From Yahoo sports.
Arizona State running back Kalen Ballage scored an FBS-record eight touchdowns on an incredibly efficient 13 touches to help the Sun Devils defeat Texas Tech 68-55.

Six scores came in the wildcat, one on a 39-yard reception and his eighth score came on a 75-yard run where he outraced the Tech defense to the end zone.

Hope most of you are getting ready for kickoff.. Hang out with us on this game thread I believe @Brett Quintyne is gonna be providing the early series by series info.. I'm in Vegas puttin that money on the Devils...

#ForksUp

Just Chilly

The 68 points scored tonight were tied for third-most in school history and most since 1979 (Colorado State 79-7)

Texas Tech-ASU Postgame Notes from official website:

GETTING STARTED

• Weather conditions at kickoff: Temperature: 83 degrees; Winds: S at 16 mph; Humidity: 53 percent; Conditions: partly cloudy skies.
• Today’s game was televised nationally on FOX Sports 1.
• Today’s game marked the third all-time meeting between Texas Tech and Arizona State. Texas Tech is now 1-2 all-time against the Sun Devils.
• Arizona State won the coin toss and chose to receive the opening kick. Texas Tech is now 1-1 on coin tosses this season.
• Texas Tech wore white helmets (red facemasks), white jerseys and red pants. This is the first time Texas Tech has used the combination dating back to 2009.
• Today’s game captains were Baylen Brown (OL), Patrick Mahomes II (QB), Justis Nelson (DB), Luke Stice (LB).
• Texas Tech senior linebacker Luke Stice made his first career start as a Red Raider in tonight’s game.
• Senior offensive lineman Baylen Brown made his team-leading 25th consecutive start while senior defensive back Justis Nelson made his 24th-consecutive start.
• Today’s attendance was 45,411

Starters – (Offense) - (LT) Terence Steele, (LG) Baylen Brown, (C) Tony Morales, (RG) Justin Murphy (RT) Madison Akamnonu, (QB) Patrick Mahomes II, (RB) Justin Stockton, (RB) Quinton White, Jr., (WR) Devin Lauderdale, (IR) Jonathan Giles, (WR) Dylan Cantrell; (Defense) – (DE) Kolin Hill, (T) Breiden Fehoko (N) Ondre Pipkins , (RUSH) Gary Moore, (MIKE) Luke Stice, (WILL) Jordyn Brooks, (NB) Justis Nelson, (LC) D.J. Polite-Bray, (RC) Thierry Nguema, (FS) Jah’Shawn Johnson, (SS) Keenon Ward.

TEXAS TECH’S LOSS...
• Gives Texas Tech a 1-1 overall record.
• Marks the first time since 2004 that Texas Tech has not started its season 2-0 overall.
• Drops Texas Tech a 1-2 all-time against Arizona State, including an 0-2 mark in games played in Tempe.
• Drops Texas Tech to 38-18-2 all-time against current members of the Pac-12 Conference.
• Gives Kliff Kingsbury a career record of 20-20.
• Gives Kliff Kingsbury a career record of 10-3 against non-conference opponents.
• Gives Kliff Kingsbury a career record of 1-1 against Pac-12 opponents.
• Gives Kliff Kingsbury a career record of 1-1 all-time against Arizona State.

TEXAS TECH TEAM NOTES
• Texas Tech’s 612 yards of total offense marked its 55th-straight game with at least 325 yards of total offense, the longest active streak in the FBS.
• Texas Tech has now scored in 234 games dating back to the 1997 season, a streak that ranks 12th nationally and second in the Big 12 Conference.
• Texas Tech has now scored at least 25 points in each of its last 18 games dating back to the 2014 season, continuing what is already the longest streak in the country. Tech has reached that mark in the first half of both of its games this season.
• Texas Tech has now scored at least 50 points in 10 of the 40 games in head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s tenure.
• Texas Tech took a 14-9 lead on a 59-yard scoring strike from Patrick Mahomes II to Derrick Willies. It completed a six play, 98 yard drive that lasted just 1:46. The drive was Tech’s first of 90 yards or longer since going 97 yards on four players last season against Oklahoma State.
• All eight of Texas Tech’s touchdown drives took less than four minutes, including five that lasted two minutes or less.
• Arizona State’s 68 points mark the most for a Texas Tech non-conference opponent in school history.
• Texas Tech did not force a turnover in tonight’s loss, breaking a 10-game streak where the Red Raiders had forced at least one turnover.
• After having 17 different receivers catch a pass in its season opener versus Stephen F. Austin, Texas Tech had 11 receivers snag a pass in tonight’s game.
• Texas Tech’s balanced passing attack featured five receivers who caught a touchdown pass.

MAHOMES PUTS TOGETHER ANOTHER MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE
• Patrick Mahomes II put together another solid night leading the Red Raider offense as he finished 38-of-53 for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 44 yards as well. His 584 yards of total offense ranks sixth all-time at Texas Tech for a single game.
• Mahomes’ big night marked the 15th time in his career where he passed for over 300 yards and the seventh time where he has surpassed the 400-yard mark. He had previously gone for over 500 passing yards just once previously which came Nov. 29, 2014, when he threw for 598 yards against No. 5 Baylor.
• Mahomes reached the 300 passing yard mark before he even reached halftime for the second-straight half as he was 23-for-29 for 353 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 12 yards and a touchdown as well. In two games this year, Mahomes is 46-for-63 overall for 760 yards and 10 total touchdowns (3 rushing).
• With his performance tonight, Mahomes moved into sole possession of sixth for career passing yards in the Texas Tech record book, passing both Zebbie Lethridge (1994-97) and Billy Joe Tolliver (1985-88). He now has 7,223 passing yards in his career.
• In addition, Mahomes also moved into fourth place all-time in touchdowns responsible for (74), fifth in career touchdown passes (61) and fifth in career total offense (7,884 yards).