Now THAT was a rivalry game…

Two rival football teams ranked in the top fifteen, played a game that would be decided in the final minute, with the winner taking the Pac-12 South title. Finally, we have a rivalry that is more than just two mediocre schools battling over in-state bragging rights.
Friday’s Arizona-Arizona State game was much more than the usual taunting and name calling I’ve grown weary of over the last twenty years.
This wasn’t about Arizona State shooting itself in the foot.
Arizona made plays, ASU did not. Pretty simple…
I wrote last week that the winner of this game should be Pac-12 Coach of the Year. No question Rich Rodriguez deserves that honor…
Todd Graham should start Taylor Kelly in the ASU Bowl game and then sit him down for the final three quarters and let Mike Bercovici finish the game. Give him the reps towards the 2015 season…
Nick Wilson has been the best running back in the Pac-12 over the last month and it’s not even close. 653 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in that span. Arizona State couldn’t find a way to control him. 7.4 yads per carry is a beatdown…
I am pretty sure one of the happiest men in Arizona Stadium on Friday night had to be Wildcat assistant Charlie Ragle, who’s been trying to break through in the recruiting of players in Phoenix. Tough to do when you’re winless in the rivalry game.
Bottom line is both football programs are as healthy as I’ve seen in the 21 years I’ve been in the state. Arizona will play for the Pac-12 title next week and I will be doing my show Thursday and Friday from the big game. I’d be doing the same if Arizona State had found a way to beat their rival…

The balance of power shifted Friday night in high school, too. Chandler ran away from Hamilton 28-7 to win the Division I state title.
Arizona State fans are going to like Bryce Perkins in maroon and gold. The Wolves’ quarterback is one of the best athletes I’ve seen
come out of the Arizona high school ranks in a long, long time.
Will Todd Graham let him compete for the starting spot in 2015?
Hamilton head coach Steve Belles simply didn’t have the consistent play out of his team that he needed to beat a team as solid as Chandler…
College coaches tell me that their first stop when coming into the Valley for recruiting is now Chandler followed by Hamilton. That is a big change from years gone by…