As we all know, ASU's non-conference schedule was released this week and it is projected to be the toughest non-conference slate in recent memory.
But this got me thinking...what's in store for ASU if they are able to survive the OOC schedule with a respectable record? Well, you can be the judge, but my early prediction is the 2015-16 Pac-12 schedule will be a favorable one for the Devils.
Pac-12 match-ups in 2015-16:
Play Twice
Arizona
USC
UCLA
Cal
Stanford
Washington
Washington St.
Play Once
Utah
Colorado
Oregon
Oregon State
*As in-state rivals (and travel partners), ASU will always play Arizona twice per season under the current format - so there's no change there. However, the perennial Pac-12 power is in a transitional year, and although they're projected to be a top-25 team, they aren't nearly as scary as they've been in recent years. Combine that with the rivalry element, and I can see ASU getting a split for the third year in a row.
In regards to the other Pac-12 foes, there is a rotating schedule every two years, and for the first time in many years, it appears ASU will have an easier conference schedule next season.
Playing Cal and UCLA twice will be no easy task, but it should boost ASU's strength of schedule, which is expected to be healthy after a brutal OOC schedule. On the conservative side, let's just say ASU only gets one win in these four games. That's not bad if both Cal and UCLA finish in the top-25, which is possible.
The good news for the Devils? ASU will play USC, Stanford, Washington and WSU twice next season - and I wouldn't be surprised to see those four teams finish in the Pac-12 cellar. I honestly can see ASU winning as many as 6 to 7 games against these four opponents, which would help them climb the Pac-12 standings.
ASU will play Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Oregon State only once next season. These are the teams the Devils will likely be battling in the the 4-to-8 range in the conference standings. Conservatively, I could see the Devils splitting these four games.
When it's all said and done, I could see ASU winning between 9 and 11 games in conference play. As long as the Devils are able to withstand a brutal non-conference slate and escape with a few quality wins, ASU would be in a good position to go dancing next March.
But this got me thinking...what's in store for ASU if they are able to survive the OOC schedule with a respectable record? Well, you can be the judge, but my early prediction is the 2015-16 Pac-12 schedule will be a favorable one for the Devils.
Pac-12 match-ups in 2015-16:
Play Twice
Arizona
USC
UCLA
Cal
Stanford
Washington
Washington St.
Play Once
Utah
Colorado
Oregon
Oregon State
*As in-state rivals (and travel partners), ASU will always play Arizona twice per season under the current format - so there's no change there. However, the perennial Pac-12 power is in a transitional year, and although they're projected to be a top-25 team, they aren't nearly as scary as they've been in recent years. Combine that with the rivalry element, and I can see ASU getting a split for the third year in a row.
In regards to the other Pac-12 foes, there is a rotating schedule every two years, and for the first time in many years, it appears ASU will have an easier conference schedule next season.
Playing Cal and UCLA twice will be no easy task, but it should boost ASU's strength of schedule, which is expected to be healthy after a brutal OOC schedule. On the conservative side, let's just say ASU only gets one win in these four games. That's not bad if both Cal and UCLA finish in the top-25, which is possible.
The good news for the Devils? ASU will play USC, Stanford, Washington and WSU twice next season - and I wouldn't be surprised to see those four teams finish in the Pac-12 cellar. I honestly can see ASU winning as many as 6 to 7 games against these four opponents, which would help them climb the Pac-12 standings.
ASU will play Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Oregon State only once next season. These are the teams the Devils will likely be battling in the the 4-to-8 range in the conference standings. Conservatively, I could see the Devils splitting these four games.
When it's all said and done, I could see ASU winning between 9 and 11 games in conference play. As long as the Devils are able to withstand a brutal non-conference slate and escape with a few quality wins, ASU would be in a good position to go dancing next March.
