Arizona Football: What are the Sun Devils saying about us?

It’s officially rivalry week and that means directing all our hate and utter detest to those folks up north, but first we gotta know what they’re saying about us!

Dominating the story lines, will be how first year coaches Herm Edwards and Kevin Sumlin are performing at their respective schools. For Arizona Football, it’s another match-up against ASU, and one they need to win if they are to become bowl eligible.

In their first years at their respective schools, neither program has really played to the level that many were hoping. Even more interesting is that, had a few things gone differently last week, both programs would have been possibly playing for a chance at the Pac-12 South this weekend.

Arizona Wildcats

Alas, that is indeed no longer the case!

At this point, the Sun Devils at 6-5 (4-4) aren’t really playing for much outside of improving their standing in the eyes of bowl selection committee. For Arizona, we are all to familiar that the Wildcats are just looking to continue their season into the postseason.

To us and fans of the rivalry, just trying to beat your rival period is enough to play for, but there are at least some implications to it.

Now, while we all get to hear and read the hoopla from the local media leading up to the game, what we don’t often hear is the banter and talking points from the other side.

ASU head coach certainly seems focused on the task at hand, and isn’t taking the rivalry lightly in his first year as head coach. Here’s what Edwards had to say about the rivalry,“There are really emotional fan bases when it comes to this game. It’s one of those rivalries in college football, so that’s always good,” Edwards said. “I think our players, not so much the freshmen, but the guys who have played in this game, they understand the validity of it. There’s some unpleasantries exchanged by fan bases and everything else, a competitive environment for the players, fans too. This is a really unique rivalry.”

In his weekly press conference, he would continue on about the importance and magnitude of this game, “It’s a rivalry week,” he said. “It’s a big game. … Arizona State vs. Arizona, we get it.”

“It’s a terrible feeling losing to this team… I ain’t losing this game.”

ASU’s senior quarterback Manny Wilkins certainly isn’t taking this game lightly either. Following the loss Oregon this past weekend, Wilkins had this to say about the upcoming game, “Just got to put everything on the line. All the cookies in the basket. Empty the tank,” he said. “Can’t walk out of this game and have any regrets … say if we would have did this or could have done this, we got to do it… I’m treating this like this is my Pac-12 Championship,” the quarterback added. “It’s a terrible feeling losing to this team.”

On Tuesday, he reiterated that same focus he’s bringing into this one, stating, “I ain’t losing this game.”

Arizona State offensive coordinator Rob Likens even got in on the rivalry action, saying he doesn’t even want to bother watching Arizona away game film. Saying that they (the Wildcats) are a completely different team in Tucson than on the road.

Edwards noted that former players will also be meeting with the team this week, to stress the importance of the rivalry, and stating what this game means to them.

Perhaps the worst part will be seeing former Arizona linebacker Antonio Pierce returning to Arizona Stadium, but in maroon and gold, standing on the Sun Devil sideline.

At Zona Zealots, we’re hoping for an inspired showing, one that seems to match the intensity the Sun Devils will likely bring in this one. It’s rivalry week, and right now nothing else matters other than beating ASU! Bear Down, Arizona!