The sturdy foundation that Arizona State built in recent weeks – one that sparked a division charge that once seemed out of reach – crumbled like a house of cards Saturday night.
No. 21 USC looked like the College Playoff Contender many expected, ruining ASU’s homecoming party and slapping the Sun Devils with a 48-17 dose of reality in front of 53,446 fans at Sun Devil Stadium.
For the home team, it was ugly and head-scratching, making the last few weeks seem more like fool’s gold than a turning point. It also was one game. The Sun Devils (4-4 and 3-2) have four left.