It’s no secret that the hire of Herm Edwards in Tempe drew a plethora of criticism, and the Pac-12 media poll in his first two years with the Sun Devils, selecting Arizona State at or the near the bottom of its division reflected that in spades.

Times are a changing, as in today’s 2020 Pac-12 media preseason poll, ASU was picked second in the South division, as well as receiving two first-place votes (38 total ballots were cast).

ASU was also picked on one lone ballot to win the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game.

The Sun Devils return nine starters on defense, including its entire secondary, which has three seniors. If it can improve its pass rush capabilities up front, this is a unit that certainly goes down as one the best in school history. A new 4-3-4 scheme under the tutelage of co-defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis and Antonio Pierce has reportedly been well received by its players, and there are no concerns over a bumpy transition from the previous 3-3-5 scheme.

A change in scheme on the other side of the ball should negate the loss of its top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and its top running back Eno Benjamin. Former Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill’s creative approach should complement the skill set of talented freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels, as well as establish of the best returning wide receivers in the conference, Frank Darby, as an effective aerial target who could come close to eclipsing if not surpassing Aiyuk’s 1,192 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns from 2019. Several newcomers such as running backs DeaMonte Trayanum and Rachaad White, as ell wide receivers Johnny Wilson and LV Bunkley-Shelton have reportedly been turning heads in preseason practices and have been taking well to Hill’s system.

2020 Pac-12 Media ballot results:

South

1. USC (32 first place votes) 220 pts

2. ASU (2) 181

3. Utah (4) 168

4. UCLA 109

5. Colorado 63

6. Arizona 57

North

1. Oregon (35 first place votes) 222

2. Cal (3) 176

3. Washington 161

4. Stanford 105

5. Oregon State 76

6. Washingtin State 58 Pac-12 champion: Oregon

***

Here is my preseason ballot:

South

1. ASU – it’s no secret that compared to most of its division brethren that the Sun Devils have been able to accomplish the highest level of preseason preparation. I may be putting more emphasis on this aspect than others will, and I’m not saying Arizona State will achieve a perfect record to capture the South crown (5-1 with a loss to UCLA). Still, I feel that a new innovative offense combats a mostly inexperienced group of skill players on this side of the ball. The defensive line will play better than 2019, complementing an excellent back seven.

2. USC – Obviously, the Trojans do not lack for talent, but I feel with the preseason obstacles they had to overcome, ASU is catching them at the right time in week one. It may be their only loss of the season, but it will be the difference in the division race.

3. Utah – Some think that Utah can retool much quicker than what the roster shows you in breaking in a new quarterback, new running back, and most significantly, only two returners on what was a stellar defense. That doesn't have a look of a squad that can challenge the two teams above them.

4. UCLA – Part of me thinks they could finish a spot higher, and I think they can surprise a team or two (hence my ASU record prediction) but probably not much more than that, especially with a defense that needs a lot of work.

5. Colorado – They will definitely have one of the more experienced defenses with nine starters returning. Still, it’s hardly a dominating group and certainly not formidable enough to overcome an offense that will struggle without the likes of QB Steven Montez and WR Laviska Shenault. And the Buffs will have their third different head coach in that many years. Not ideal for a team in need of improvement.

6. Arizona – Much like Colorado, lots of question marks to answer on offense, and the worst defense in the league last year lost a lot of talent to boot. The talent gap between them and the rest of the South is noticeable.

North

1. Oregon – When it’s all said and done, I believe the Ducks will have most if not all of their star players who opted for the NFL draft return. Yes, they are breaking in a new quarterback, but plenty of returning players on that side of the ball can negate that fact.

2. Cal – Part of me was tempted to ride the (quarterback) Chase Garbers bandwagon and select them to capture the North. But few schools were as handcuffed as much as they were getting ready for the season, and along with a defense that has a handful or so of returning starters, I can’t see them getting over Oregon.

3. Washington – The lowest number of returning players in the North (eight) isn’t cooling the enthusiasm that some may have for the Huskies. I just see them as a middle of the pack team where they have fewer issues to deal with than the programs below them.

4. Washington State – Breaking in a new quarterback with a new head coach and a system that won’t be a carbon copy of Mike Leach’s Air Raid won’t spell success in 2020. Curious to see if nine returners on a so-so defense could help a transition go smoother.

5. Stanford – I learned a long time ago not to bet against a David Shaw Cardinal team, but with average or below skills players by and large on offense, and only three players returning on a defensive unit that was far from impressive, the struggle on The Farm is real in 2020.

6. Oregon State – Plain and simple, their talent level won’t allow getting out of the division's basement, at least not this year.

Pac-12 Champion: ASU. This is the season I feel it all comes together for the Sun Devils. Their defense is strong enough to carry an offense that may have some growing pains to go through with a new scheme and a lot of unproven players needing to step up in a hurry.

Does ASU typically outperform the media poll? In most years, yes.

2019 Finished tied for 3rd (Picked 3rd by the media)

2018: 2nd (6th)

2017: 2nd (5th)

2016: T-4th (5th)

2015: 4th (2nd)

2014: T-2nd (3rd)

2013: 1st (2nd)

2012: T-2nd (5th)

2011: T-3rd (2nd)

Join your fellow Sun Devil fans on our premium message board, the Devils’ Huddle, to discuss this article and other ASU football and recruiting topics. Not a member yet? Sign up today here and get all the latest Sun Devil news!