Sun Devils Will Begin Practice Healthy

Barring practice mishaps, Arizona State will be healthy for the Rose Bowl game.

The only somewhat prominent player who’s out of the game is tailback Michael Martin. A starter for the season’s first five games, Martin was beaten out by Terry Battle, then injured his neck against UCLA.

The Sun Devils arrive Christmas Day and their first Citrus College practice is Dec. 26.

Ohio State’s and Arizona State’s practices will be closed to the public.

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Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer, during a recent teleconference on his love/hate relationship with his giant protector, 6-8, 320-pound offensive tackle Juan Roque:

“Juan tends to let things get under his skin too much, and I’m a guy who loves to get under people’s skin. One time he got so mad at me he chased me off the practice field and all the way back to the locker room.

“He grabbed me by the neck and said: ‘I’m going to kill you.’ ”

What was Roque so upset about?

“I don’t even remember,” Plummer said, laughing. “I probably said something about how ugly he was. Or how bad he smelled.”

For Roque’s part, he says he feels sorry for Plummer.

“I feel like I have to protect him because he’s a pencil-necked geek.”

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Does Arizona State have a shot at No. 1 if it beats Ohio State on New Year’s Day?

Said Sun Devil Coach Bruce Snyder: “I don’t have any opinion on Florida State, but if they win and we win and we wind up No. 2, someone’s going to have to explain to our players why we’re not No. 1.”