An ASU alumni currently in the NHL will have his number retired this season when Joey Daccord's number 35 is retired in their season opener on October 3rd. The Sun Devils home opener was already highly anticipated since Gavin McKenna will be visiting with Penn State to take on ASU. In addition to being the first ASU player to have his number retired, Daccord was the first ASU player to be drafted, sign with, and play with an NHL team.
The obvious answers are Oregon and Arizona State, the defending Big Ten and Big 12 champions, respectively. Of the two, the Sun Devils might have more favorable conditions for a repeat given their established quarterback (Sam Leavitt) and the dearth of powerhouses in the Big 12. The Associated Press preseason poll reflects their twin perches: Oregon is No. 7, with a first-place vote, while ASU is No. 11, its highest preseason position since 1998.