My two cents: RichRod, Graham don't pull any punches
My interpretation of last week’s Pac-12 football media carnival:
1. ASU coach Todd Graham isn’t treading lightly on anyone’s toes. Seven times in his media session at the podium, he mentioned how serious the Sun Devils are about winning championships. He declared his team talented, explosive and ready to be recognized among the game’s elite. I don’t think he’s bluffing.
2. Rich Rodriguez is a man against whom you don’t want to play cards. He’s not a bluffer, nor will he tip his hand. He just brings it; he sets his StairMaster control at level 20. That’s serious business. That’s his approach in all things.
“We’re going to be the underdog simply because we don’t have the brand name other schools have,” he said. “We’ll get enough good players that we can compete for the championship.”
3. ASU’s theme is “break the rock.” Arizona’s mantra is “pull the rope.” Either way, the RichRod vs. Graham rivalry is the most bitter since Frank Kush and Jim Young coached in the Territorial Cup 40 years ago, and, I believe, this is the top rivalry going in Pac-12 football.
