#BeatTheIrish

Dallas, TX – In much of the build-up to ASU’s match with Notre Dame tomorrow night, a consistent part of the conversation has come down to a key question: How will the Sun Devils manage on one of the biggest stages of the season?

Taylor Kelly’s composure has sometimes been “different” on the road than when playing in Sun Devil Stadium, the Junior QB’s own backyard.

Sun Devil Nation should be glad that the Devils played #5 Stanford in college football’s biggest game earlier in the season, since it was the only one featuring two ranked opponents.

In the first half, both Kelly and the Devil’s looked like boys amongst men. Minutes into the game and under heavy pressure, Kelly folded when trying to heave the ball out of bounds. Instead of tucking it and taking the sack, Kelly’s threw the ball all of 5 yards and right into the hands of a Stanford defender.

However, on that same nationally televised stage and after being embarrassed by Stanford’s 29 first-half points, Kelly led his Devils onto the field for what was a “second game” against Stanford that night. ASU played ball and fought there way back with 4 touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the BCS.

While the Devils came up short in the end, they proved they could shut-out the noise and focus on one thing, playing Sun Devil Football.

Part of that comes from the mentality of ASU’s Head Coach, Todd Graham. Graham is a guy that relishes big opportunities when the stakes are high. To him, that is college football. Go big or go home.

period.

And with that, I believe his team and it’s leader, Taylor Kelly, will rise tomorrow night when the lights are at their brightest. I would not rule out a couple turnovers that will hurt the Devils in this game. But with the experience gained against Stanford and the confidence gained against USC, the Devils will secure the momentum and ultimately the win on NBC, the “Notre Dame Network.”

Prediction: Devils 36 – Irish 27.

If you aren’t seriously geeked up for this huge game, take a peek at these two videos of the Todd Graham Show at Tulsa in 2010. Graham’s Golden Hurricanes had just defeated Notre Dame 28-27… in South Bend.

Graham’s tough & disciplined team played some of their best football that day. Perhaps it’s a prelude to tomorrow night’s game at AT&T Stadium.