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No. 18 Utah visits No. 15 ASU in key Pac-12 matchup
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Published: 11/1/2014  at  5:42:00 AM
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UTAH UTES (6-1)
at ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (6-1)

Kickoff: Saturday, 11:00 p.m. ET
Line: Arizona State -6, Total: 58.5

Two teams look to remain in the Pac-12 championship race on Saturday night as No. 15 Arizona State hosts No. 18 Utah.

Both schools have won three straight games (SU and ATS) since their lone loss of the season. Last year when they met, the Sun Devils erased a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter and pulled out a 20-19 victory on the road against the Utes with a late touchdown pass from QB Taylor Kelly. Neither team could get things going on the offensive end of the ball, as the Utes outgained the Sun Devils 293-247. The Arizona State defense was big in the 2013 meeting, and will need to be just as tough on Saturday to earn the victory. Arizona State (4-3 ATS) is 19-8 ATS at home versus teams outscoring opponents by 10+ PPG since 1992. However, Utah is 36-24 ATS under Kyle Whittingham versus good passing teams (58%+ completions). The Utes (6-1 ATS) are coming off a thrilling win in the final seconds against USC last week, prevailing 24-21. Quarterback Travis Wilson was able to connect with Kaelin Clay on a one-yard touchdown to secure the victory. Utah will be without WR Dres Anderson (knee) and DE Moana Ofahengae (suspension), while S Tevin Carter remains questionable with an undisclosed injury. For the Sun Devils, they expect to have Kelly (head) starting under center, but three key players are all listed as questionable -- DB Ezekiel Bishop (knee), LB Jamal Scott (arm) and OL Christian Westerman (leg).

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Utah enters this game ranked 28th in the nation in scoring (35.9 PPG), 39th in rushing (200.1 YPG) and 99th in passing (192.1 YPG). QB Travis Wilson (1,027 pass yards, 8 TD, 0 INT) has overcome injury issues to play a big role on the Utes. However, the offense is led by junior RB Devontae Booker (146 carries, 844 yards, 8 TD) who has been on a tear as of late, rushing for at least 100 yards in four consecutive games. He is the type of running back that gets stronger throughout the contest, wearing teams out in the fourth quarter. With WR Dres Anderson (22 catches, 355 yards, 4 TD) out for the season, WR Kenneth Scott (25 catches, 252 yards, 3 TD) will likely be the team's top target. The Utah defense ranks 29th in the nation in points allowed (21.6 PPG). DE Nate Orchard (45 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 11 sacks) is one of the best pass rushers in all of college football, thanks to a relentless work ethic and great speed. LB Jared Norris (67 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4 sacks) and DE Hunter Dimick (31 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 7 sacks) are two other defensive players that can influence a game. They will be tested against an explosive Arizona State offense though.

The Sun Devils got QB Taylor Kelly (805 pass yards, 10 total TD, 1 INT) back from injury last week, and he gives Arizona State a dual threat from the quarterback position. Entering this game, the ASU offense ranks 19th in the nation in passing (303.4 YPG), 25th in scoring (36.6 YPG) and 49th in rushing (185.9 YPG). With Kelly back under center, that sets up the read option, where RB D.J. Foster (110 carries, 648 yards, 6 TD) has a chance to make the big play. Foster is a scoring threat every single time he touches the ball, as he also has 424 receiving yards. With him coming out of the backfield, the opposing defense has to use linebackers and safeties ready to defend the flats. That opens up one-on-one coverage on the outside for WR Jaelen Strong (52 catches, 744 yards, 7 TD). Strong is a top-notch receiver who presents a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-4. He is simply too big for cornerbacks, but if a safety gets lined up against him, he will beat the defense deep. WR Cameron Smith (21 catches, 307 yards, 3 TD) will have some opportunities in this game, as the Utes are going to focus on stopping Strong. The Sun Devils defense ranks 57th in FBS scoring (25.3 PPG), but has some playmakers on that side of the ball. DB Damarious Randall (66 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 PD) is a talented player in the secondary, as is DB Jordan Simone (60 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT) is also a very good player in the secondary, and this unit should be able to slow down the passing game of the Utes.


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