Pac-12 media days were a success despite the fact that your Devils were predicted to finish third in the South by media members that cover the league.

Keeping in context with the number three, let’s examine the Sun Devil offense and the all-important 3rd down. After all it will play a pivotal role in 2014 if ASU is to outlast South foes, UCLA and USC who are ranked #1 and #2 respectively.

Despite a 10-win season in 2013, the Sun Devils were less than stellar on 3rd down, converting only 39 percent of the time. However, QB Taylor Kelly himself converted 50% of the time. He led the team with 30 rushes on 3rd down, extending the drive 15 times and scoring on six of those attempts.

Kelly’s 7.6 yards per 3rd down carry led the team, and his six touchdowns on 3rd down was second best in the country. Frankly speaking, TK has been a 3rd down weapon in his first two campaigns at the helm of Mike Norvell’s offense. Now he enters his third year.

The top teams in the country rank high in 3rd down conversions. National Champion Florida State finished third nationally with a 52.2 percent conversion rate. Pac-12 Champion, Stanford led all teams in the conference at 49.7 percent, good for tenth nationally.

The Sun Devils lit up opponents in 2013 with a record-breaking six 50-point performances including a stretch of four conference games that ended in one opposing coach being fired on a tarmac following the contest (ASU 62 – USC 41.) Still, ASU’s overall 39.1 percent conversion ratio was quite pedestrian, finishing eighth in the conference and 77th nationally.

Entering this season, Taylor Kelly should have an arsenal of weapons beyond play-makers Jaelen Strong and D.J. Foster. While all indicators point to an improved offense and one of it’s strongest offensive lines in years, the 2014 Sun Devils could boost their metric on 3rd downs.

Extending drives and time of possession will be particularly valuable for the 2014 Sun Devils in light of a very young defense. So get out of your seats before Kelly takes the 3rd down snap this season because it could deliver ASU back to the conference title game and a run at the roses.

Summer workouts are complete, Camp T is in less than two weeks, and we are less than a month away from the 2014 kick-off vs Weber State. Anyone excited?