Arizona State wide receiver Richard Smith, right, celebrates his touchdown catch with quarterback Taylor Kelly in the fourth quarter of Arizona State's 51-17 victory over Colorado in a college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.
Arizona State wide receiver Richard Smith, right, celebrates his touchdown catch with quarterback Taylor Kelly in the fourth quarter of Arizona State's 51-17 victory over Colorado in a college football game in Boulder, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012. David Zalubowski, Associated Press
By Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State has exceeded most expectations under new coach Todd Graham.

The real test of how good the Sun Devils are will come over the second half of the season, starting with Thursday night's game against No. 2 Oregon in the desert.

Arizona State has been good, winning five of its first six games to lead the Pac-12 South, but will be facing a huge step up in competition against Oregon.

The Ducks are the three-time defending champions in the Pac-12 and have yet to really be challenged this season, their closest game a 17-point win over Fresno State.

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Oregon hasn't really been tested on the road, though, and Graham is hoping a sellout crowd and a "blackout" at Sun Devil Stadium will help slow the Ducks down.

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