Devil's Junkie Podcast

My guest appearance on the 620 AM Rock and Manuch Show discussing the external expectations of the Sun Devils in 2026, and why the team culture is so important in this day and age of college football

(21 Minutes)   Even in a deep group of ASU running backs during spring practice, it was impossible to ignore true freshman Cardae Mack’s performance. I sat down with Mack to talk about his acclimation to the Sun Devils, what attracted him to the program, and his efforts to carve out a role in Arizona State’s backfield.

(23 minutes) It is a new era for ASU basketball with the hire of head coach Randy Bennett, and even though guard Vijay Wallace is a holdover from last year’s team, the upcoming season will also signal the true beginning of his Sun Devil career. In our conversation, Wallace talks about his recovery from a season-ending injury, the team's new look under Bennett, and his expectations this year.

Why did Arizona State decide to pursue and ultimately land Randy Bennett as its next basketball head coach, and what can we expect as he begins his tenure in Tempe? We break it all down with Sun Devil Network Analyst Kyle Dodd

(35 minutes)   In order to keep their chances alive for a return appearance to the Big 12 championship game, ASU will have to overcome a formidable Arizona squad that has the same 8-3 mark as its in-state rivals. On today's podcast episode, I invited former ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter, one of the rare Arizona State signal callers who played in four straight Territorial Cup games, going 3-1 against the Wildcats, to provide his insight into this highly charged contest.

(31 minutes) We all remember the strong finish to the 2024 season, which propelled ASU into the Big 12 championship game. This year, a road victory at Iowa State is a good indicator that the Sun Devils can run the table again in November, but will this lead to a repeat appearance in Arlington?   My conversation with the co-host of the Speak of the Devils podcast, Brad Denny, discusses the road win last Saturday and Arizona State's prospects for the rest of the season.

(29 minutes)   For most of Saturday night, ASU struggled for long stretches in a home loss to Houston, a defeat that did all but officially take them out of contention for a return appearance in the Big 12 championship game. And once again, the resolve will be tested as they visit Iowa State this weekend.    What were the deficiencies that plagued Arizona State in that 24-16 loss, and what remedies are in order for this team to try and get back in the win column? Here's my conversation with the Sun Devil Network's sideline reporter, Kevin Turner.

(25 minutes)  In the college football world, that operates by the mantra, “What have you done for me lately?” It was easy following an embarrassing loss at Utah to have low expectations, if not genuine apprehension of ASU's chances versus an undefeated Texas Tech team, which led the Big 12 both in offense and defense. Yet, the Sun Devils were more than happy to defy that narrative and earn a gritty 26-22 win over the Red Raiders, getting back on the winning track and providing a resounding statement in the process.    Is it a sign that Arizona State is truly ready to defend its conference crown? To review last Saturday’s contest and project what the rest of the regular season could look like for Arizona State I invited the Sun Devil Network color analyst and 1987 Rose Bowl MVP Jeff van Raaphorst to discuss those topics and more. 

 (39 Minutes)     A 4-1 record and 2-0 in Big 12 play is certainly a strong start to a season and the quest to defend ASU's Big 12 crown. Yet, in all three phases, shortcomings were revealed that were fortunately offset by Arizona State's trademark resiliency and a willingness to make clutch plays.       My conversation with Speak of the Devils Podcast co-host Brad Denny examines the Sun Devils' season to date and assesses whether repeating as conference champions is still a reasonable goal for 2025.

(28 minutes)   Even with a 3-1 mark suffice it to say that the ASU passing game has probably been the most unpleasant surprising performance in this still young 2025 season.   What are the issues that are impacting the play of quarterback Sam Leavitt and his teammates on this side of the ball, and what could be done to remedy the shortcomings?   For this purpose, I invited someone who wore the same uniform and played the same position: former Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter, a person with whom you can always count on for candid and detailed opinions. 

(28 Minutes)   At a 2-1 mark, there is a sense that an ASU team that started the season ranked No. 11 in the AP preseason poll has disappointed in its play with some unconvincing performances. Are they poised to defend their conference crown, or will the rougher waters encountered so far persist going forward? My discussion with football analyst Cole Topham. 

(38 Minutes)   There were many issues that plagued the Sun Devils Saturday night in Starkville, but two plays in particular may stand out above the rest in ASU's loss to Mississippi State. What are the aspects needing remedy, what positives can be taken from that contest, and what are our thoughts about Kenny Dillingham's approach in fixing the shortcomings and preparing for the next game? To answer those questions and more, I invited the Sun Devil Network's sideline reporter, Kevin Turner, to analyze that game and what's ahead for the team.  

(21 minutes) When your season opener features arguably the weakest team on your schedule, then week one overreaction is definitely a topic you want to avoid. However, ASU fans find it impossible not to be disappointed with the 38-19 win over Northern Arizona, a victory that even head coach Kenny Dillingham himself could quote unquote as 'ugly'.    What was the reason for some of those less pleasing elements we saw Saturday night, and how can the Sun Devils go about fixing them? In this podcast episode, I won't only offer my thoughts but also talk to the 1987 Rose Bowl MVP, former ASU quarterback, and Sun Devil radio color analyst Jeff Van Raaphorst to get his perspective on the game. Thanks for being here to kick off a new season of The Devil's Junkies Podcast!      

(29 minutes)  I appeared on the Chillys2pc podcast to discuss the ASU Golden Ticket initiative with the local 2027 recruits, the Sun Devils' overall success in attracting quality transfers and high school players under Kenny Dillingham, and whether Arizona State can repeat as Big 12 champions. 

(35 minutes)   The Peach Bowl contest against Texas came oh so close to being ASU’s entire season in a microcosm. A Sun Devil team that comes in as a heavy underdog and exercises its trademark resiliency to overcome adverse odds almost came to fruition in Atlanta. A double-overtime loss, as disappointing as a defeat that it is, could still not put a damper on one of the best campaigns in program history.   There is a lot to break down when it comes to the remarkable journey the Sun Devils took its fan base on, and for that matter, I invited Sun Devil Network sideline reporter Kevin Turner, who was there for each and every contest this past season, to weigh in with his thoughts on the Sun Devils and their improbable 2024 season. 

(21 minutes) Arizona State finds itself in an unfamiliar position playing in the college football playoffs, but at the same time, the underdog role that they have been tagged with ever since the preseason is still alive and well. The Sun Devils are a near two-touchdown underdog to Texas, but do these odds truly reflect this Peach Bowl matchup?   To break down the University of Texas and the key matchups of this New Year's Day contest, we sat down with analyst Cole Topham to examine Arizona State’s upcoming opponent.

(37 minutes)   True, the 2024 season is still ongoing. Some may call this ASU team the best one we've seen this century, and some are drawing comparisons to the great 1996 squad. My guest on today's episode, The Voice of the Sun Devils, Tim Healey, has been covering Arizona State for nearly four decades and is more than qualified to put this season into perspective and proper context.    In our discussion, Healey talks about the most enjoyable moments he has experienced this year in the radio booth, takes us behind the curtain when traveling with the team and interviewing head coach Kenny Dillingham, and discusses what he has seen from ASU basketball and their torrid 8-1 start.

(31 minutes) And the magical 2024 season keeps on going for the Sun Devils, as a program that was predicted to finish dead last among 16 teams in the Big 12 Media Preseason Poll is virtually one win away from earning a spot in the Big 12 title game. The only thing now standing in Arizona State's way is their in-state rival and the Territorial Cup matchup in Tucson this weekend.   I couldn't think of a better guest for today's episode than former ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter, who is quite familiar with the heated contest versus the Wildcats and also has a lot of unique insight on the Sun Devil coaching staff, their offensive achievements, and what they have accomplished this year.

(24 minutes)   In the blink of an eye, Arizona State's 2024 season has gone from surprising to improbable, and the icing on the cake could be for a program that was predicted to finish last in a 16-team conference to now qualify for the Big 12 championship game.   But first things first, and in their last home game of the year, the Sun Devils will face a BYU squad that, up until last week, was undefeated and currently stand in ASU's way of playing for the conference title. So, to review a huge road win at Kansas State and discuss a significant Saturday contest in Tempe, I am joined by former ASU quarterback, the 1987 Rose Bowl MVP, and the color analyst on the Sun Devil Network, Jeff Van Raaphorst to dive into those topics and much more..

(19 Minutes)   ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham admitted that going into the game against UCF last week, he was wondering if the fine line between confidence and cockiness was breached. Looking back at that contest, even though it resulted in a Sun Devil 35- 31 win, it does seem that it was a valid concern.   But that sentiment is certainly being thrown out the window now, as here we are several days before the matchup on the road with No. 20 Kansas State, and ASU finds itself already as a touchdown-plus underdog.   What have we learned from the win over the Knights last Saturday and how does Arizona State match up against arguably its most challenging opponent to date this season? Analyst Cole Topham breaks down ASU's performance, detailing some of the strengths and weaknesses it has exhibited not only last Saturday but throughout the season and sizes up the Sun Devils' upcoming opponent.