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We’ve been exposed. We’re just not that good right now, and virtually every part of our game seems to be in shambles. We’ve had a chance to vent our utter frustration. Now what?

Dirk Koetter is not going to be fired in the middle of the season. We’re going to sink or swim with Rudy Carpenter. We still have to play the remaining 7 games on the schedule. And we have to continue to recruit players for next year’s team, even if they’ll be playing for a different guy.

Here’s my 7-step prescription for moving forward.

1. Gut check time. Lock the players in a room and let them have it out. They need an emotional shake-up conversation. We need the leaders—whomever they may be at this point—to step up and enforce a minimum playing standard. Do not let your fellow players get away with half-assed play. Do not let your teammates give up when adversity strikes. Have some pride.
2. Pull it together, Rudy. You showed us what you can do last year. And we all know it’s not just you that’s stinkin’ up our passing game. But there’s no denying that you’re tentative, making some bad decisions, and just plain off-the-mark. You’ve lost your confidence, your mojo. That’s ok. This is something you can fix. This is the time to step up and show the valley why you were the better quarterback last year and this offseason.
3. Your best gameplan. Coaches, we need your best game plan. Not the one you like the best, but the one that fits this year’s team and gives us a shot at winning. Let’s play to our strengths. Let’s creatively defend against our weaknesses. We need to get this passing game going, and that means getting receivers open, giving Rudy some time and space to throw, and putting him in a position to get into rythym and gain some confidence. On defense, we need to get some pressure on the opposing quarterback and change up the coverage scheme.
4. Back to basics. When you start questioning your ability to compete, you start failing to execute fundamentals: blocking, tackling, passing, route-running. Each and every player needs to step it up in practice, and get back to the basics. Go home and practice. Concern yourself with technique: there is nobody on this team that can’t benefit right now from a refocusing on what they need to do to succeed.
5. It’s all about the Mo. We all know the drill. Sun Devils play big game. Sun Devils lapse and lose big plays. Sun Devils lose before halftime. In college football, it’s all about the momentum. When the going gets tough and the other team sees things bounce the right way, we cannot fold. Coaches, take a time out and get your players together. Keep your eye on the prize. Team leaders, don’t let your teammates accept defeat. When the momentum swings against you, rally together and hit them back.
6. Recommit every down. Think only about doing your job and succeeding on this next down. That’s it, nothing else. Recommit to be the best you can be, for yourself, for your teammates, for your coaches, for the Sun Devils who have come before you. Play one down at a time. Nothing more, nothing less.
7. Show your support. The team can’t give up, and neither can the fans. The only thing that’s going to change during the season is our W-L record. We will have to deal with the other changes at season’s end. Until then, support the team. Show up for the games. Don’t leave early. Don’t degrade the players. Make all the noise you can. Show potential recruits that the Sun Devil family takes care of its own. Give the team some reason to continue battling on the field.

In short, Answer the Scratch, Devils.