Devil's Junkie Podcast

One can look at ASU’s contests versus Fresno State and USC and think that ultimately they are two of the same in terms of performance since they both ended up in the loss column. Nonetheless, while the loss two weeks ago to the Bulldogs, a shutout defeat no less, did not offer any hope or optimism for the future, the sentiment after the USC game was a much-needed 180° turn.   What can we take away from the Sun Devil's performance last week, how has head coach Kenny Dillingham’s play calling takeover made an impact on the squad, and how do we see Arizona State fairing in their first road test of the year as they travel to Cal?   To address those issues and many more surrounding ASU, I will be joined by Speak of the Devils podcast co-host Brad Denny who has been covering the Sun Devils for over a decade.

(28 minutes) The monsoon season may have just ended a few days ago, but when it comes to the challenges that Arizona State has to face, it seems that it's been a never-ending rainstorm. Joining me to discuss that topic and others surrounding the Sun Devils and previewing the USC game, I'm joined by one of the brightest football minds I know, former Devils Digest staff writer Cole Topham

(22 minutes)   Much like the season opener, the Oklahoma State game was a classic tale of two halves, where the Arizona State offense struggled down the stretch and, this time, was shut out in the second half in their first loss of the year. 1987 Rose Bowl MVP and Sun Devil Network Color Analyst Jeff van Raaphorst joins me to examine the 27-15 loss to the Cowboys, discussing what inferences can be gleaned from that contest ahead of a challenging game this weekend versus Fresno State.

(23 minutes) Kicking off the 2023 season, I'm joined by the Sun Devil Network's sideline reporter and ASU football alumnus Kevin Turner, analyzing the win over Southern Utah and a behind the scenes look at what transpired during that bizarre night in Tempe and looking ahead to Arizona State's first Power Five matchup this fall in what could be a litmus test for a team with a first-year staff and dozens of newcomer players.

My interview with Guy Haberman and Evan Moore today on SiriusXM Pac-12 Radio discussing ASU's self-imposed postseason ban announcement, why the timing was curious, and what effect it can have on the football program.

Minutes after the news that ASU has applied to join the Big 12, I was interviewed by Colin Harmon from ABC15 Sports on the reasons for the move and the lengthy process involved, and how will the Sun Devils fair in their new 2024 home.

(33 minutes) Pac-12 Networks Analyst Yogi Roth offers his perspective of the Sun Devils ahead of their 2023 season and why he feels first-year head coach Kenny Dillingham can be successful in his initial session at the helm. Roth also discusses some of the conference storylines he sees taking place this year.

My interview on the Roc and Manuch show discussing the elephants in the room addressed during the 2023 Pac-12 Media Day in Las Vegas, ASU picked 10th in the preseason media poll, Sun Devil storylines going into Fall Camp, and more 

This episode was the Sun Devil fans’ chance to be heard and ask questions of me on various ASU sports topics, and in return, they received my candid opinions and replies to those inquiries. Quarterback battle, football’s season outlook, athletic leadership, and Pac-12 media rights deal are just a few of the subjects addressed in this podcast.  (87 minutes)

My guest appearance on the DJ & PK Show assessing how different this program has been under first-year head coach Kenny Dillingham, the team's strengths and weaknesses going into the fall, and how will the recruiting approach change from here on out

My appearance on the SXM PAC-12 Today show detailing the trends that were present in the Sun Devils' sessions and the to-do list that awaits after the spring game

My January 5th appearance on SiriusXM Pac-12 Radio on the Geoff Schwartz and Sean O'Connell show discussing the coaching transition in Tempe and how the Sun Devils are approaching the transfer portal

Episode rundown (36 minutes)   If you ask anybody around the ASU football offices these days about the 2022 season, they would probably reply that it's all about looking at the windshield because that disappointing campaign is well in the rearview mirror.   Nonetheless, we still want to reflect on what took place these past three months, and this podcast will be devoted to evaluating the season that culminated with a 3-9 mark. And for that task, I invited my staff writers to chime in with their opinions and perspective, choose their standout players and moments this past year, and what should be on the to-do list for the Sun Devils in 2023?

My guest appearance on the Roc and Manuch Show, detailing the reasons Arizona State decided to hire Kenny Dillingham as their new football head coach and why being an alumnus plays a pivotal role in this personnel decision

Episode rundown (15 minutes)   After a disappointing one-point loss to Stanford, ASU was eager to get back on the winning track, and visiting Colorado was exactly what the doctor had ordered. And it's only fitting that this victory by the Sun Devils came on Halloween weekend because their offense in a 42-34 win was unrecognizable.   My staff writer Cole Topham was with me at Boulder last weekend and joins me on this episode as well to analyze what we saw from the Sun Devils in this win, and look forward to a challenging game at home against no. 10 UCLA.

We knew that at some point in the season, the Arizona State defense would be tasked with carrying the team to victory, but ultimately you do need to have an able and willing party on the other side of the ball to achieve that feat. And those adjectives hardly characterize the Sun Devil offense in a frustrating 15-14 loss to Stanford.   Not since the mid-80s has ASU held its opponent out of the end zone and still registered that contest in the loss column. And to no one’s surprise, interim head coach Shaun Aguano in his weekly press conference, made what seems to be a very necessary announcement that now the starting quarterback role is up for grabs in an open competition between starter Emory Jones and backup Trenton Bourguet.   What in specific necessitated this all but certain quarterback change, what are the ramifications of such a dramatic personnel move and what in general has the ASU offense done to reach this point? To answer those questions and address many other topics, I invited Sun Devil Radio Netw

An upset victory over No. 21 Washington sent Arizona State into the bye week with positive vibes. Yet, the fact that it was Trenton Bourguet who led the Sun Devils to victory rather than its starting quarterback Emory Jones now puts into serious question who ASU's signal caller should be for the second half of the season. I discuss those topics and others in my guest appearance on FOX Sports 910 AM Roc and Manuch Show.

My guest appearance on the FOX Sports 910 AM Roc and Manuch Show discussing the report alleging that Sun Devil staff members were leaking team intel to opposing coaches in order to have now-former head coach Herm Edwards depart from the program. I also provided my take on the team's current state and what the future holds for the rest of the 2022 season.    

My interview on Fox Sports 910AM joining the Roc and Manuch Show talking about the change of leadership in the Sun Devil program

Whether it's the NCAA investigation or the mass exodus of players from Tempe that has led to 40 newcomers on this year's roster, the expectation level of the 2022 Arizona State Sun Devils has been extremely low. And as much as players and coaches spent the offseason trying to silence the critics, the start of this campaign has been abysmal. Last weekend, the Sun Devils finished conference play 1-2, with their last contest being an embarrassing loss to Eastern Michigan at home, a game where Arizona State was a three-touchdown favorite. It was ultimately a game that also led to the dismissal of head coach Herm Edwards who, according to Athletic Director Ray Anderson, mutually parted ways, as Anderson decided to name running backs coach Shaun Aguano as the interim head coach. So how did ASU get to this point, changing a head coach in mid-September, and where do they go from here regarding their search for a new head coach and the future of the program in general? To answer those questions and many more, I invite