Amanda: If you think the quarterback battle is over because Cutter Boley won it, you’re not paying attention to how fast this league moves. One slip, one misread coverage, and that job is on a knife’s edge again.
Paul: And let’s be clear, Amanda. Winning the job doesn’t mean he has the chemistry down yet. We talked about this yesterday. The offensive line needs time to click with him before we can truly judge the ceiling of this offense.
Amanda: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, home of daily Arizona State Sun Devils football! I’m Amanda, and alongside me as always is our lead analyst, Paul. It’s Sunday, September 2nd, and we are two days out from kicking off the 2026 season against Morgan State. Before we dive into today’s mailbag, let’s lay out the roadmap for you. First, we’re answering your burning questions about Cutter Boley’s command under center and whether his decision-making will hold up in the Big 12. Second, we’re breaking down the depth chart battles at wide receiver and tight end, looking at guys like Chance Ables and Khamari Anderson. And third, we’re doing a lightning round on the defensive line rotations and what they need to do to force that first-quarter turnover we predicted last week.
Paul: Exactly. We’ve got the roster in front of us, we’ve got the standings—ASU sitting pretty at number one in the Big 12 despite being 0-0—and we’ve got a lot of opinions from fans who want to know if the skill positions outweigh the offensive line concerns we identified earlier this week.
Amanda: Let’s get right into it. Our first question comes from Sarah in Tempe, who asks: 'Cutter Boley beat out Pauly Keene and Jake Fette, but does he have the experience to handle pressure? How does his pocket presence compare to what we saw in camp?' Paul, you’re up.
Paul: Great question, Sarah. The short answer is: we don't fully know yet, but the indicators are promising. Boley didn't win the job by accident. He won it because when the pocket collapsed, he stayed calm. Unlike some freshmen quarterbacks who panic when the edge rusher gets inside, Boley showed discipline in maintaining his eyes downfield.
Amanda: But is that enough for the Big 12? You’re talking about pass rushers who are going to be testing him every single snap.
Paul: It has to be. Look, if you look at the personnel groupings we’re seeing in practice, Boley prefers dropping back into a three-step or five-step drop. That requires the offensive line to sustain their blocks longer. That’s where the chemistry concern comes in. If Tana Alo-Tupuola and Luke Baklenko aren't communicating their protections perfectly, Boley gets hit. But so far, his processing speed is elite. He sees the coverage shift before the ball is snapped.
Amanda: So, he’s making reads faster than the defense can react. That’s what separates good college QBs from great ones. What about the other guys? Does Pauly Keene still have a role?
Paul: Keene is likely the change-of-pace option. If Boley struggles with consistency, Keene brings a different kind of mobility. But right now, the coaching staff has bet on Boley’s arm talent and decision-making. They believe he can stretch the field vertically, which opens up the running game for David Avit and Jason Brown Jr.
Amanda: Interesting. So the trust is with Boley, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Let’s move to another listener question. This one is from @SunDevilFan88, who asks: 'With all the hype around the skill players, who is the unsung hero on offense? Is it really just about the receivers, or is there someone else stepping up?' Marcus in Phoenix, that’s a fantastic question.
Paul: I think people are overlooking the tight ends. Khamari Anderson and James Giggey are crucial here. In a Big 12 offense, you need tight ends who can block on the edge to help the offensive line, especially against those heavy fronts. If ASU wants to run the ball effectively, they need those extra blockers.
Amanda: Right. And if the tight ends can’t block, Boley is exposed. But when they do block, they become receiving threats too. Did we see much of that in camp?
Paul: We did. Anderson has been reliable in check-down situations. He’s not a deep threat, but he’s a security blanket for Boley when the primary read is covered. And AJ Ia has shown flashes as a move tight end. If Boley needs a quick release to avoid pressure, targeting the tight end in the middle of the field is a smart tactical adjustment.
Amanda: So, tight ends are the glue. Got it. One more question for this segment. From Jessica in Chandler: 'The offense looks flashy, but what about the running backs? Who is getting the bulk of the carries against Morgan State?' Paul, walk us through the committee.
Paul: It’s definitely a committee, but Jason Brown Jr. seems to be the bell-cow candidate. He’s physical, he runs through contact, and he’s good at finding lanes in the gap. David Avit provides speed on the outside, which stretches the defense horizontally. And Kyson Brown adds versatility.
Amanda: So Brown Jr. takes the early downs, Avit gets the space plays. Makes sense. But if the offensive line isn’t creating holes, none of that matters. Back to that chemistry issue. Are we worried?
Paul: I am cautiously concerned. Not panicked, but concerned. The interior line needs to communicate stunts and twists. If they don’t, Boley gets sacked. But if they lock in, this offense has serious firepower. Let’s see what happens on Saturday.
Amanda: Cautiously concerned is better than panicking. Alright, let’s take a break here. We’ll be right back with more mailbag answers, including your questions on the wide receiver depth chart and those defensive line rotations. Stick with us.
Amanda: We are back. Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network. We’re continuing our mailbag session, and we’ve got some great questions coming in about the wide receiver corps and the tight end battles. Let’s start with this one from Tyler in Scottsdale: 'Chance Ables and Cory Butler Jr. are both listed as wideouts. Who is the number one target for Boley, and how do they split snaps?' Paul, give us the breakdown.
Paul: This is a tough call because both have different strengths. Ables is bigger, more physical. He can win contested catches. Butler is quicker, sharper in route running. Against a team like Morgan State, who might try to double-team one side, Boley needs both. But if I had to pick a primary target based on camp reports, it’s probably Ables. He draws the coverage focus.
Amanda: So Ables is the safety valve and the red zone threat? That makes sense given his size.
Paul: Exactly. And Butler is great on the perimeter. He can stretch the field and create separation. Derek Eusebio is also in the mix—he’s got speed. If Boley can get the ball out quickly, Eusebio can turn a short pass into a big play. But it’s going to depend on how the defense aligns.
Amanda: What about the newcomers? We saw Jalen Moss and Uriah Neloms on the roster. Are they playing?
Paul: They’re likely special teams contributors right now. Moss has some speed, but he’s still learning the playbook. Neloms is another project. For Saturday, it’s going to be Ables, Butler, and Eusebio leading the charge. Maybe Reed Harris if he’s healthy.
Amanda: Okay, so the top three are set. Now, let’s talk about the tight ends again. From @DevilDawg: 'Khamari Anderson vs. James Giggey—who starts? And what about Landen Miree?' Paul, settle this debate.
Paul: Anderson is the starter. He’s been consistent. Giggey is the backup, but he’s explosive when he gets touches. Miree is deeper on the depth chart. The key here is blocking. If Anderson can’t block, Giggey might see more time because he’s a better athlete in space. But Anderson’s reliability makes him the guy.
Amanda: So it’s stability over flash. That’s a smart coaching decision. What about the offensive line? We mentioned chemistry issues. Who are the anchors there? Is Matai Jefferson holding it together?
Paul: Jefferson is experienced. He’s seen a lot of action. He needs to be the vocal leader in the huddle. Desean Bryant Jr. is also important. If the interior line—Jefferson, Bryant, and whoever is at guard—isn’t communicating, Boley is in trouble. But if they gel, even slightly, it gives Boley time to make plays.
Amanda: Communication is everything. One wrong call, and it’s a sack or an interception. Let’s move to the next question. From Kevin in Mesa: 'The defense has been praised, but can they actually force a turnover in the first quarter against Morgan State? Or is that too much to ask?' Paul, be honest.
Paul: I think it’s possible. Morgan State is going to be trying to establish the run early. If ASU’s defensive line can penetrate the backfield and disrupt the timing, they can force fumbles or bad throws. The secondary needs to be aggressive. If they play soft, Morgan State will eat clock. But if they press and create chaos, yes, a turnover is very likely.
Amanda: Aggressive secondary. That’s what we want to hear. You predicted this last week, Paul. Do you still stand by it?
Paul: I do. The talent is there. The defensive linemen are hungry. They want to prove themselves after last season. If they come out with energy, I see a takeaway in the first quarter. It sets the tone for the whole game.
Amanda: Alright, let’s keep going. One more question for this segment. From Lisa in Gilbert: 'Who is the sleeper on this team? Someone who could surprise everyone this season.' Paul, name names.
Paul: I’ll go with Omarion Miller at wide receiver. He’s not getting the headlines, but he’s fast. If Boley targets him on slants or post routes, he can break tackles. Also, Cardae Mack at running back. He’s versatile. If the starters get tired, Mack can bring a different look.
Amanda: Miller and Mack. Good picks. Fast, versatile, unexpected impact. Alright, we’re halfway through. Next up, we’re doing a fun hypothetical and a lightning round of quick takes. Stay tuned.
Amanda: We are back. It’s time for our fun segment. First, a hypothetical from @SunDevilHope: 'If Cutter Boley throws for 400 yards and three touchdowns against Morgan State, does that automatically make him the Heisman frontrunner?' Paul, how do you respond to that?
Paul: Ha! No. Absolutely not. One game, even a great one, doesn’t make a Heisman frontrunner. The Heisman is about consistency, leadership, and impact over the entire season. Throwing for 400 yards against a team like Morgan State is impressive, but it’s not enough to jump to the front of the pack. He needs to do it against Texas, Oklahoma, whoever the top teams are.
Amanda: Fair point. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. But 400 yards would certainly put him on the national radar. What if he does it twice? Three times?
Paul: Then we’re talking. If he puts up numbers like that against quality opponents, yeah, he’s in the conversation. But against Morgan State? It’s just a good start. Don’t get ahead of yourself.
Amanda: Got it. Good start, not Heisman yet. Now, let’s do a lightning round. Quick takes. Question one: 'Is the Big 12 the toughest conference in college football right now?' Yes or no, Paul.
Paul: Yes. Without a doubt. The depth of talent, the speed of the games, the quality of the defenses—it’s unmatched. Every week is a challenge.
Amanda: Question two: 'Will David Avit break 1,000 rushing yards this season?' Yes or no.
Paul: No. Jason Brown Jr. will carry the load. Avit is a complementary piece. He’ll have good games, but 1,000 yards is a tall order for him.
Amanda: Question three: 'Can the offensive line fix its chemistry issues by Week 3?' Yes or no.
Paul: Yes. Football players are adaptable. By Week 3, they’ll have played enough together to understand each other’s tendencies. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be functional.
Amanda: Question four: 'Will Khamari Anderson score a touchdown in the first game?' Yes or no.
Paul: Yes. Short yardage, red zone. He’s the reliable target. Boley will look for him when it matters most.
Amanda: Question five: 'Is Cutter Boley the best quarterback in the Big 12 right now?' Yes or no.
Paul: He’s in the top three. Best? Maybe not yet. There are others with more experience. But he’s definitely up there.
Amanda: Top three. Solid. Alright, that’s our lightning round. Let’s wrap things up. We’ve covered Boley’s command, the depth chart battles, and the defensive outlook. Any final thoughts before we sign off?
Paul: Just remember, Amanda, this is just the beginning. One game doesn’t define a season. But a strong start against Morgan State sets the stage for everything. Trust the process, trust Cutter, and watch the offensive line closely.
Amanda: Love it. Trust the process. Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode of the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this mailbag, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this with your fellow Sun Devil fans!
Paul: We’ll be back tomorrow with more analysis, more predictions, and more Arizona State football. See you then.
Amanda: Go Sun Devils! And remember, we predict between nine and eleven wins this season. Let’s make it happen. Go Devils!