Arizona State Sun Devils
2001 record: 4-7 (1-7)
Coach: Dirk Koetter (5th season, 30-17; at ASU, 4-7, 1 year)
Starters returning: 4 offense, 8 defense, 1 specialist

Outlook: Rebuilding or languishing? That's the question for Arizona State, which hasn't had a winning season since 1997. Conventional wisdom says that unresolved quarterback issues and an inexperienced offensive line are key ingredients in a disaster recipe. Toss in a demoralizing five-game losing streak to conclude the 2001 season, and the Sun Devils look like a team in flux, with or without a posh new weight room.

Second-year coach Dirk Koetter likely will have to lean on young talent and his defense during a rough non-conference slate, including a season-opener at Nebraska, and road games at Oregon, Washington State, USC and state rival Arizona.

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Redshirt freshman Chad Christensen emerged from spring practices as the starting quarterback, with sophomore Andrew Walter and JC transfer Andy Goodenough lying in wait should he falter.

It's fortunate that Christensen has good mobility because he faces the unenviable task of playing behind an offensive line that lost five seniors. Moreover, there is no proven running back. Hakim Hill has shown flashes, but he struggles as a blocker.

The defense returns eight starters from a crew that surrendered 32.8 points per game and, by Koetter's count, missed 131 tackles. The good news is defensive end Terrell Suggs (10 sacks) is back, as are the four freshmen who started in the Sun Devils defensive backfield last year. Cornerback R.J. Oliver and free safety Jason Shivers, who led the team with 89 tackles, are the best of the bunch.

Key game: It figures to be a tough season in Tempe. But a victory on Nov. 23 over state rival Arizona would make for more patient fans as Koetter lays the groundwork for what figures to be a competitive team in 2003.

Keep an eye on: Wide receiver Shaun McDonald. He caught 47 passes for 1,104 yards (23.5 yards per reception) with 10 touchdowns last year. He's dangerous -- if Christensen can get him the ball.

It's a good year if . . . The Sun Devils break even at 6-6. This is too tough a schedule for a young team to be thinking about the conference elite.

Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.