Pac-12 Media Day: Todd Graham has brought ASU back to a national contender

BURBANK- Arizona State head coach Todd Graham has transformed his Sun Devil football team into a national championship contender since taking over the job in 2012.

At one point in 2014, the Sun Devils were in the top five in the polls but faltered down the stretch. However, they ended the season on a high note with a 36-31 victory over Duke in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

Graham, entering his fourth season at the helm with a 28-12 record and two bowl victories, said that his 2015 team is the best one he has had at ASU.

"Our goal and mission is to be Pac-12 Champions," Graham said.

ASU returns quarterback Mike Bercovici who threw for 1,478 yards and 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions in four starts in 2014. Now the starting quarterback after Taylor Kelly graduated, Bercovici said that his one of his goals is for the Sun Devils to be playing on January 11th, 2016.

"We are fighting for a national championship," Bercovici said.

Jordan Simone, who went from walk-on to starting defensive back, said that Bercovici is one of the smartest men on the team.

"Mike is really his own offensive coordinator," Simone said. "He is really smart and can teach anyone anything."

ASU's first conference game is against USC on September 26th in Tempe.