Last year, Arizona State played USC on Thanksgiving night, in a game which essentially decided the Pac-10’s Rose Bowl representative.
This year, the Sun Devils host UCLA on the day after Thanksgiving, for slightly different stakes. Since both schools have six losses, the loser will guarantee the a bowlless season. The winner will have to beat its natural rival to become bowl eligible.

Q: Scott, a couple weeks ago, you said something like you thought that Mark Sanchez could be feeling pressure from some other outside sources. I’m paraphrasing, of course, but that’s how I best remember your words, and I think you made that comment in answer to a question. Could you elaborate and explain just what were the sources that were causing him to feel pressure? Thanx.

A: I think there are a lot of external forces of pressure that he faces. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to succeed and that means he is aware of a lot of the outside criticism, which can also come from friends and associates, who have their own opinions.

Q: Do you think that Tyler is running as well as he did before he broke his leg, and is he happy with his role as it is now, i.e. is he willing to wait his turn until those currently ahead of him leave?

A: He is fairly happy with his role, especially moving up a slot since Broderick Green left. He has not been unhappy like Green was all season. Or even some of the other backs were last year who are now in the top 3. I think he is just now regaining his form from his senior year of high school and probably won’t be at his best until next year, because he’s had a lot of little injuries to deal with this year.

Q: Re Slick Rick offering those two guys from the same high school as the 5 star linebacker, do you think he did it because he had the assurance of the 5 star guy that he would certainly follow along, or do you think he did it just to improve his chances of getting the 5 star guy? Seems like a BIG GAMBLE [PUN INTENDED] to take unless he had some assurance, cuz even tho those guys are fast, they aren’t highly rated.

A: I believe they think it will cause Manti T’eo to sign with them and last I heard, they think he will come to UCLA. So it might pay off. We’ll see.