TEMPE, AZ.- Following Arizona State’s 44-20 victory over the Washington Huskies, Sun Devil athletic director Lisa Love made a somber announcement at the post game press conference. The win pushed Arizona State to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Pac-10. And their ranking, 14th coming into the contest and a possible top 10 ranking next week, gives Sun Devil football a lot of momentum. However, the feel-good moment was short lived. Love solemnly disclosed that the Sun Devil football program would be shut down for a week, and would not re-open until two weeks from tonight, on October 27th against the Bears of Cal. Love cited necessary maintenance to the team bandwagon for the decision.
“With all that’s gone on this season, such as several highly-touted teams losing, both in the conference and nationally, we-well, actually I, it was my decision-decided it was time to prepare the Sun Devil bandwagon for the road ahead. These preparations will include an oil change, new tires, replacing the shocks, spark plugs, and just a full maintenance inspection in general. Any areas of concern will be addressed and rectified.” In addition, the seating area on the bus is to be renovated to accommodate approximately 5,000 more fans according to Sparky, who commented on the condition that he not be identified.
“We just felt that the time is now to ensure that there will be no glitches as we head to the home stretch. It’s unfortunate, and it is with great regret that I am announcing that our game against Bye next week will be canceled. Please note that this is being done with the sole intention of ensuring that those who already use the bus and those who will use it the remainder of the season will be able to do so in the utmost comfort. It’s the fans we care about, and we will always keep their best interests at the forefront of what we do here in Tempe.”
Following the Sun Devils 523 yards of total offense against the Huskies, including 296 yards on the ground, the momentum is certainly in their favor. Add to this the fact that they find themselves the lone unbeaten team in the Pac-10 conference, and Love’s decision seems to be a wise one, though unprecedented.
“Our game against the Cal Bears at Sun Devil Stadium on the 27th of this month will be played as scheduled,” Love continued, “and I guarantee you that the bandwagon will be back better than ever at that time. We are simply trying to be proactive in this matter. If it fails to work out, I will take full responsibility. Well, along with my advisor of course, Rick O.” Oddly, Love had a look of satisfaction while answering subsequent questions and upon making her way out of the press conference.
Head Coach Dennis Erickson, when reached for comment, joked, “She’s the boss. She hired me, so she obviously knows what she’s doing. Seriously though, I think it’s a great decision on her part. We’ve got some guys who could use the rest on both sides of the ball. And let’s face it, the bandwagon could use a little expansion.”
Thanks for taking the time to read.
{Obligatory but probably unnecessary disclaimer: This post was written as fiction. Well, most of it.}
ooops i thought maybe dennis erickson had decided to leave for a new job in the pros??? hey ask idaho!!!! if i were ASU id maybe invent a collar for this coach!!!! yea yea the pac-10 is a major step forward and the fact that jobs dont come around in the pac-10 all the time!! BUT what the hell is a contract worth anymore... i remember reading his (COMING HOME) article or words like that, when he signed a contract?????? with idaho to coach football umm like i said coach football... he started in idaho or so thye said and he was thrilled in my mind to go back!!! probably told all the new recruits of how great a program idaho would be with him as the coach!!!!!!! THEN AFTER 1 year splittt!!!!! SO ASU!!! id be rather carefull of mr DE!!!!!
Looks like that bandwagon is getting revamped just in time. ASU is looking tough. Ryan Torain is the real deal and with Herring stepping it up of late that running game will make Carpenter that much more dangerous.
That match-up with Cal will be huge. Good luck to the Sun Devils the rest of the way.
Always good to see TSI & Nooch in your comment section. Thanks for stopping by. Torain is a little ####ed up, Nooch, but fortunately that's probably the deepest position on the Sun Devil's roster. Wasn't really sure what to realistically expect from them this year, but I see them improving every game. Carpenter seems to get better every week, obviously helped by the running game you referred to. If they can stay healthy and get a few breaks, who knows??
You just can't stress bandwagon maintenance nearly enough. That's the difference between a national contender...and a dud program like New Mexico State.
It's a little known fact that many years ago (like 500 or so), NMSU football had its own bandwagon. They scheduled it for a basic tire rotation...but all hell broke loose when a slimy mechanic talked them into doing an engine overhaul. But since wagons don't actually have engines, the whole thing fell apart and NMSU hasn't had a winning season since.
That scenario sounded a lot funnier in my head, like most things. Don't worry, I'm scheduling a tune up this afternoon. Lube 'em-N-Leave 'em, here I come!
The most overlooked undefeated team in the country by far.
Ummm, they CRUSHED Colorado who then beat Oklahoma people!!!
They beat San Jose State 45-3, the same Spartans who just took Hawaii to OT.
Stanford? 41-3 prior to USC losing to the Cardinal.
Ridculous to have them at #12 this week. Shameful really. But Cal is going to whoop them, sorry. Longshore will be in there by then and that defense will get lit up.
Shooter, for the last time . . . uh, I mean thanks for stopping by. Shame about NMSU's wagon. I didn't know that. If it's any consolation, I here there's a gently used one in the South Bend area. You may want to look into that.
Norcal-True, the Sun Devils have some quality wins. A few weeks ago, I would have agreed with you about them getting thumped by Cal. Now I'm not so sure. But what the hey, ASU's on the right track, which is more than I could say w/Koetter here.
Well done Ricko. I don't think they will need a large bus...since ASU isn't an SEC team, no one will be convinced they are worth a damn because they play in the weak pac 10. (notice sarcasm) I hope your Devils get really fired up for the meat of the schedule...that Thanksgiving day looks like a great game!
Nice scribble.
lisa-Sarcasm noted. Hee hee. Three big games left for ASU-Cal, Oregon, and of course the USC game. Guess we'll see if they're for real or not. Thanks for stopping by.
ricko;
Glad you made the funhouse, or else it would have been longer before I had the pleasure of stumbling upon your blog.
Good job.
The Pac 10 is not weak...Today we have a prime example of two tough teams that are going to beat up on eachother, Stanford at UofA. Strength of schedule points? Anybody?---crickets chirping.
OurCoeds-I would be remiss if I didn't point out that ASU drilled Stanford 41-3, the same Stanford who knocked off then-#2(?) USC. ASU also beat Colorado rather handily, who beat then-#2 Oklahoma, and Oregon State, who knocked off then #2 Cal.
I'll be riding shotgun when the bandwagon is up and running again. I called it.
Agreed about Glendale. I lived in Tempe for awhile when I first moved here as a young bachelor. Ahhh, the good old days.
Re: ND St., I went to UND, so I feel the same was about the North Dakota State as I do about the University of Arizona. They're the enemy.
Thanks for stopping by, Pete. I remember early in the year I thought it would be nice for ASU to get a little recognition. Now that they are 7th in the polls and 4th in the BCS, they have a lot to live up to. Don't know if they're really that good, but it wouldn't surprise me if they finish with only one loss, either.
Just stumbled across this post, so I'm a bit tardy in commenting. Oh well, better late than never I guess.
Anyways, a few of the fickle followers fell out of ASU's wagon after hitting the pothole that was the Oregon Ducks, but the Sun Devils still have their fair share of fashionable fans. Denny the Devil has done well in his first season.
UofA gets the Ducks on Nov 15, but sadly we have no bandwagon. We Wildcat fans have a giant skateboard - only enough room for the truly faithful right now. But that's okay, the only game that truly counts will be played Dec 1 in Tempe.
bc525-Thanks for stopping by. Greatly appreciated.
And you know basketball season is starting up, so you'll get the best of the team from Tempe. For now.
(I like to talk a little smack now and then). Did you hear the latest scuttlebutt? Lute is on a leave of absence due to interviews to become the Sendek's assistant. Seems he (Olsen) wants a bit more laid back role, and ASU was receptive to the idea. Stay tuned.
Interesting what you mention about the silver haired one. I believe I read somewhere that Lute has devised a strategy for sabotaging opposing programs from the inside. Herbie should be cautious if dealing with the White Wizard of Tucson. It was also implied that Lute currently has spies infiltrating Ben Howland's UCLA staff as well, though I'm not sure as to the validity of such claims. Ah, the espionage of Pac-10 basketball.
Anyhow, in pigskin news, Arizona vs Oregon on Thursday night should be an exciting game. I'm all tingly with anticipation ... oh, no, wait. That's the burrito I had for lunch. Nevermind.
Spent half my life in North Dakota. The other half, so far, in the Valley of the Sun. As a kid, I was always playing, watching, reading, or writing about sports. I lost most of the "playing" along the way, but the rest remains the same. I pledge to refrain from commenting on a blog unless I've read it in its entirety. If I have time, of course.
Carry on.
Email address: rickoblog@ear thlink.net
