Early Pac-12 South predictions for the 2021 college football season are starting to be released and several of them see the Arizona State football team being a contender in the division.

Some of them even see Herm Edwards’ ASU team winning the division.

The Sun Devils return quarterback Jayden Daniels and many key players for the upcoming season.

What can we expect from them this season?

Check out what some college football writers are saying about ASU’s chances in 2021:

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan predicted that ASU would win the Pac-12 South.

He wrote: “This is a tough call, but I’m taking Arizona State to win the South this season. The Sun Devils return nearly every major contributor from the 2020 season, including a rising star quarterback in Jayden Daniels and one of the deepest running back rooms in college football. Also, the offensive line is poised to take a step forward, and while there’s no clear No. 1 target in the receiving corps, there’s no lack of talent. The Sun Devils led the Pac-12 in scoring defense last year (23.3 points a game) and the defensive line, linebacker and secondary units all rank among the best in the conference. The schedule does feature tough treks to Utah and Washington. However, USC visits Tempe and Oregon is not on the regular-season slate. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arizona State, USC or Utah win the South, but I think the Sun Devils return to the Pac-12 title game for the first time since ’13.”

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The San Jose Mercury News’ Jon Wilner recently released post-spring projections for the Pac-12 and he had ASU winning the South Division, just like he did in earlier projections.

He wrote: “Nothing has changed at the top of the South. The Sun Devils possess the most desirable combination of quarterback, skill position talent and line play, and their secondary should be one of the best in the conference. It’s easy to envision defenses loading the box to force Jayden Daniels to make plays from the pocket. If he does, the Sun Devils could finish two games clear of the competition. If Daniels stagnates, the South will be loads of fun.”

Athlon Sports’ Mark Ross projected ASU to be on top of the South by the end of the season.

He wrote: “I like Arizona State to be on the top of the South by season’s end. Jayden Daniels is poised to emerge as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country and the defense brings back plenty of experience throughout all three levels. Herm Edwards has clearly put his stamp on this program, and it shows in how hard the Sun Devils play every game. The schedule isn’t easy, but ASU does get USC in Tempe. So at least Helton won’t have to hear it from the home crowd when his Trojans come up short, again.”

College Football News wrote about how ASU could be special in 2021, even though it picked USC to end up with the best record in the division.

It wrote: “Lost in the Herm Edwards era so far is how the team hasn’t quite been able to rock yet. This might be the season with QB Jayden Daniels and a great D to work around. If ASU can get by BYU, the non-conference slate is a breeze, USC is a home game, and there’s no Oregon from the North.”

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Athlon Sports’ Nicholas Ian Allen made the case for the Sun Devils winning the division (although he picked USC to do so).

He wrote: “The Sun Devils probably have the next best case. Like USC, Arizona State boasts a talented experienced quarterback, deep receiving corps, and even more options in the running game. The ASU defense might be the best in the conference, or at least the division. Plus, the Sun Devils host USC.”

247Sports’ Brandon Marcello envisioned a great year for Arizona State.

He wrote: “This is the year for Herm Edwards to put Arizona State back on top in the South Division. Just like last season, USC stands in the Sun Devils’ way, and with USC traveling to Tempe this season, this could be a magical year. The roster is stacked and many players are set to return. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is back again, and might be the best dual-threat QB in the conference. The backfield is stacked with Rachaad White and Chip Trayanum back, too. The defense was the Pac-12’s best (23.3 points per game) in 2020 and it might be up top again. Watch out for the Sun Devils.”

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Projection model weighs in

The ASU football team could be in for a big season in 2021 according to one projection model.

Make that a huge season.

SportsLine’s projection model for the upcoming college football season projected the Sun Devils to be the best team in the Pac-12 this season.

The Sun Devils were given a power ranking of 74.9 according to the site, which it explains as ASU’s projected win percentage against every other FBS team.

It was the highest ranking in the Pac-12 and No. 12 in the nation.

SportsLine put Washington as the No. 2 in the Pac-12 in its model. The Huskies had a power ranking of 74.7, which was 14th in the nation.

Oregon was at 73.8 and third in the Pac-12 (17th in nation).

USC was fourth in the conference and 20th in the nation at 73.3.

Utah was fifth in the Pac-12 at 73.1. It was 22nd in the country.

Alabama was No. 1 on SportsLine’s projection model at 90.5.

BYU, a non-conference opponent for ASU this season, was 19th at 73.3.

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