Pac-12 Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

11. Arizona State – Will the defense turn things around in 2017?

While the easy thing would be to look at whether or not Blake Barnett, Manny Wilkins or other is lining up under center in 2017, none of that will matter if the defense is bad again. For a team that seemingly couldn’t stop any passing game, the Sun Devils outdid themselves in the final game of the season.

Arizona State allowed the Arizona Wildcats to only call run plays in the second half because they simply refused to stop it. To say their defense’s only issue is stopping the pass would be a gross understatement.

This is a unit that is going to have make big changes and fast in 2017 if they want to be back in a bowl game. The good news is that the Sun Devils were able to make waves in recruiting to add to their secondary and that should pay off soon enough.

Other players such as JoJo Wicker and Armand Perry will have to provide plenty of veteran leadership to younger players stepping into the fold for the Sun Devils. Todd Graham stakes his claim on defense and after two miserable years in a row, he needs his guys to perform.

The offense has the weapons to put up points and that should make life easier on the defense. Still, the rugby-style tackling and letting the opposition torch them in every facet will have to stop for them to make any real improvement.