No. 18 Utah (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) vs. Arizona State (2-6, 1-4)
Kickoff: Saturday, noon MDT.
Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium.
TV: Pac-12 Network.
Livestream: pac-12.com/live.
Radio: ESPN 700 AM/92.1 FM.
Series: ASU leads 22-11.
Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the high 50s at kickoff.
The trends
For Utah: The Utes dropped their second game of the season in a 35-6 loss to Oregon at Rice-Eccles Stadium last week. Utah was riding a two-game win streak heading into the Oregon game, and the defeat snapped an 18-game home win streak.
For ASU: The Sun Devils broke a six-game losing streak, beating Washington State 38-27 last week to notch their first Pac-12 win under new head coach Kenny Dillingham.
What to watch for
Arizona State was missing six offensive linemen against Washington State. Ben Coleman, Emmit Bohle, Max Iheanachor, Sione Finau, Kyle Scott and Bram Walden were all out for last week’s game, according to Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic. The Sun Devils’ offensive line did not give up a sack against the Cougars last week, but have given up 22 this season, which ranks in the bottom third of the nation.
After not sacking Oregon quarterback Bo Nix last week, can the Utes’ defensive line get back on track vs. the Sun Devils’ offensive front?
Key player
Cameron Skattebo, ASU running back: Skattebo does a little bit of everything for the Sun Devils’ offense. He’s carried the ball 115 times for 534 yards and seven touchdowns and has 20 receptions for 273 yards and a score. He’s an integral part of ASU’s short passing game and has even thrown four passes.
After facing Oregon running back Bucky Irving last week, Utah will have to deal with another talented back.
Quotable
“Arizona State coming to town, coming off a win against Washington State, probably it was their best offensive production of the season. They’re a team that is gaining some confidence.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.
“In terms of Utah, this is the culture that we want, that I envision here. They’re the program that I envision, hopefully having here a coach who’s been there for 19 years, who’s built it up, who’s established physicality in the program, toughness.” — Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham.
Next up
Utah: at Washington on Nov. 11
ASU: at UCLA on Nov. 11.
Utah schedule
- Aug. 31 — Utah 24, Florida 11.
- Sept. 9 — Utah 20, Baylor 13.
- Sept. 16 — Utah 31, Weber State 7.
- Sept. 23 — Utah 14, UCLA 7.
- Sept. 29 — Oregon State 21, Utah 7.
- Oct. 14 — Utah 34, Cal 14.
- Oct. 21 — Utah 34, USC 32.
- Oct. 28 — Oregon 35, Utah 6.
- Nov. 4 — vs. Arizona State (12 p.m, MDT, Pac-12 Network).
- Nov. 11 — at Washington.
- Nov. 18 — at Arizona.
- Nov. 25 — vs. Colorado.
