Arizona State running back Cameron Marshall gained 1,050 yards last season, including 114 on 15 carries in a 48-14 rout of Colorado, and is one of four offensive starters returning. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Considering that Todd Graham's 2007 and 2008 Tulsa teams led the nation in total yards, most of the buzz about his arrival at Arizona State has focused on his explosive spread offense.
But Graham prefers to talk discipline, discipline, discipline.
"We have developed a great work ethic," Graham said at the recent Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles.
Of course, Graham isn't going to come right out and say discipline, or a lack thereof, was a problem for the Sun Devils during the Dennis Erickson era. To trash one's predecessor would not be politically correct coachspeak.
But Graham probably didn't mind it one bit when senior linebacker Brandon Magee didn't hold back when asked about the differences with Graham.
Arizona State went 31-30 in five years under Erickson, finishing with four consecutive nonwinning seasons. In 2011, the Sun Devils appeared to be in the driver's seat to earn a berth in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game (because of Southern California's ineligibility) but lost their last four regular-season games, then under an interim coach, were pummeled 56-24 by Boise State in Las Vegas at the Maaco Bowl, for a final 6-7 record.
"I think last year the little things were a problem," Magee said when asked if a lack of discipline had been an issue. "We have been one of the worst teams in the nation in terms of getting penalties. That's unacceptable, and Coach (Graham) stressed how unacceptable that is.
"He won't tolerate penalties. Everything we do, we are accountable. That will help us out a ton to reach the potential that we actually have as a football team."
The Sun Devils went into August camp needing to settle on a quarterback. But Graham sounds like he is never concerned about developing an offense. And he has a proven producer at running back. Senior Cameron Marshall rushed for 1,050 yards and 18 touchdowns last year in support of quarterback Brock Osweiler, who's now with the Broncos.
Graham isn't afraid to call 50 or 60 pass plays. But he also values balance. His 2007 Tulsa team set an NCAA record for producing a 5,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher.
Defensively, the Sun Devils have switched from a 4-3 alignment to a pressure, hybrid unit that sometimes will show a four-man front and other times will appear to be a three-man front. ASU returns four starters on offense and four on defense.
"I believe in these guys, and I have confidence in this football team," said Graham, who coached Pitt to a 6-6 regular season last fall and drew widespread criticism for leaving a program after one year.
"What a great situation we have at Arizona State," Graham said. "But we have a great challenge in front of us (because I have) tremendous respect for the conference we're in."
Keys for Arizona State
1. Develop a cadre of receivers. Senior Jamal Miles (60 catches, six touchdowns) is the only wideout with experience.
2. Line up some linebackers. When the Sun Devils' hybrid defense shifts to a 3-4 alignment, all four linebackers will be first-year starters.
3. Get off to a positive start. The Sun Devils should have little trouble at home with season-opening opponent Northern Arizona. If they can get by rebuilding Illinois the following week in Tempe, that will give some cushion for the following three-week challenge of at Missouri, Utah and at California.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280, tkensler@denverpost.com or twitter.com/tomkensler
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