Tempe, Ariz. • Arizona State thought its defensive issues were worked out. After sterling performances against good teams, there was no reason for the Sun Devils not to believe it.
Then they flipped the page backward against No. 21 Southern California. Big plays, missed tackles, blown assignments — all the issues Arizona State had early in the season came flooding back in a lopsided loss.
The back slide couldn't have come at a worse time. Next up for the Sun Devils is Colorado and Phillip Lindsay, the nation's third-leading rusher.
The Sun Devils have faced the two rushers ahead of Lindsay and didn't fare too well; national rushing leader Bryce Love ran for 301 yards against them and San Diego State's Rashaad Penny lit them up 216 yards and added a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown.