Bordow: Unbeaten ASU team still an enigma

This is what we know about the Arizona State football team after three weeks and three wins: Nothing.

The Sun Devils have taken care of business by beating three inferior clubs, the latest mismatch a 34-13 victory over San Diego State Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.

ASU’s 3-0 start, even against a soft schedule, shouldn’t be taken for granted. Considering the rash of upsets that have hit college football — UCLA was humbled by Utah on Saturday — any win is a good win.

But it’s impossible to get a good read on the Sun Devils because they’ve had more talent than any of the teams they’ve played — San Jose State, Colorado and San Diego State are a combined 1-7 — and they have yet to venture outside Sun Devil Stadium.

Dennis Erickson should send Dirk Koetter a thank-you card.

The Sun Devils have been here before. They were 3-0 two of the past three seasons. In 2004 they finished 9-3. In 2006 they ended up 7-6 and Koetter was fired.

This year? Who knows.

And here’s why:

ASU’s defense, which was ranked No. 4 nationally coming into the game, had

another good night, limiting the pass-happy Aztecs to 323 total yards.

But before we throw a bouquet of roses at the Devils’ feet, let’s not forget the compliments that were being tossed around last year when ASU held NAU, Nevada and Colorado to a combined 29 points in its first three games.

The next two weeks, the Sun Devils gave up 97 points to California and Oregon.

That doesn’t mean a repeat performance is at hand. But let’s be honest. Pac-10 teams will be more equipped to exploit the Devils’ weaknesses than San Diego State or San Jose State.

It would be just as foolish to make any grand pronouncements about ASU’s offense. The Sun Devils have scored (112) points in three games, and quarterback Rudy Carpenter’s statistics (seven touchdowns, two interceptions) would seem to indicate he’s rediscovered his 2005 form.

In addition, Ryan Torain and Keegan Herring (161 yards, two touchdowns) give ASU a terrific one-two punch in the running game.

But, then, San Diego State has the worst defense in the country, and San Jose State gave up 37 points to lowly Stanford Saturday.

So how much weight can those numbers carry?

“Do we have to play better next week? Of course,” Erickson said.

There was one significant moment Saturday as it pertains to the rest of the season.

Erickson was a man of his word.

After the Sun Devils committed eight personal foul penalties against Colorado Erickson warned his team that anyone flagged for a similar violation wouldn’t play.

Sure enough, when tight end Brady Conrad was whistled for a personal foul penalty in the first quarter he was immediately yanked off the field. An angry Erickson then made a very public gesture in pointing Conrad to the bench, and the senior didn’t return until midway through the second quarter. Good.

Benching players is the best way to get a point across — and ensure that ASU won’t be known as a dirty team, ala Erickson’s clubs at Miami and Oregon State.

ASU will get its first wake-up call Saturday, when Oregon State comes to town. The Beavers aren’t among the elite teams in the Pac-10, but they’re not Stanford, either.

The Sun Devils will have to work for a win.

“It’s for real next week,” Carpenter said.

Until then, enjoy the 3-0 start. It may not mean much, but consider the alternative.

You could be a Notre Dame fan.