The Arizona State football program has made small strides in the last two years under Herm Edwards. Some are expecting the Sun Devils to continue that trajectory this season.
In its annual national football preview Athlons has ASU on a list of "The 20 teams on the Rise."
The Sun Devils went from 7-6 in Edwards first year to 8-5 with a Sun Bowl victory in 2019. Only one of the five losses was by more than 10 points.
With reigning South Division champion Utah in reload mode the Sun Devils are expected to contend because of the number of returning players and the expected progress of quarterback Jayden Daniels who had a stellar rookie debut.