The Utah Utes travel to Sun Devil Stadium to get it on with the Arizona State Sun Devils on Thursday, November 10th at 9:30 p.m. ET. The PAC-12 match-up can be seen for your viewing entertainment on the Fox Sports 1 Network. At this time, the Utes are a -5.5 favorite and the game’s total is 59.5.
In last season’s contest in Salt Lake, the Utah Utes held the Arizona State Sun Devils to only 15 rushing yards on 28 carries. But that wasn’t enough, it took 20 unanswered fourth quarter points to finish of the Sun Devils 34-18. Arizona State still Sun Devils holds the lead in the all-time series, 20-7.
Utah (7-2):
Kyle Whittingham’s squad is fresh off of a bye week, and the timing couldn’t be better. After a 4-0 start to the 2016 season, the Utes have gone 3-2 over their last five contests. Last time Utah took the field, the Utes fell to College Football Playoff contender Washington, 31-24.
The Ute quarterback Troy Williams didn’t have his best game against the Huskies the last time he played on the grid iron. But, Troy Williams did complete 14-of-31 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Throughout the 2016 campaign, he has completed over 140 passes for 1,888 yards with nine touchdowns and five picks.
On the ground, Joe Williams had another stellar day following his 332 yard and four touchdown performance against UCLA. Williams rumbled 35 times with the football, for 172 rushing yards and a score. The effort was the third most rushing yards put up on the Huskies all season. Now, Williams has 758 yards and six trips across the goal line.
Against the Bruins two weeks ago, wide out Evan Moeai had four catches for 61 yards. Furthermore, another touchdown went to Siaosi Wilson, who hauled in two passes for 14 yards. Tim Patrick led the team with five receptions for 72 yards. Combined, the receivers have collected 57 catches for just over 1,000 yards and seven scores.
For the most part, the Utah defense has done it’s job and then some for head coach Kyle Wittingham. The Utes are 33rd nationally in total defense, with 365.4 yards given up per game. They also are 31st in the country against the run, allowing 128 yards a game and 31st in total points surrendered per contest (22.7).
Arizona State (5-4):
Head coach Todd Graham’s team started 5-1, but has been on the losing side of the scoreboard for the last three games. The Sun Devils lost on the road to the Buffaloes and then again to the Ducks. To make matters worse, they were defeated on their home turf 54-34 to the Washington State Cougars. It appears that the Sun Devils needed their two week break worse than the Utes did.
Quarterback Manny Williams sure didn’t complain about the time off. The Sun Devil signal-caller left the Washington State game early on with a stinger. He was replace by Sterling-Cole, who completed 21 of 38 passes for 302 yards with a touchdown and three picks served-up to the Cougars.
Manny Williams is listed as probable for the match-up against Utah. Throughout the 2016 campaign, Williams has completed a total of 115 balls for 1,421 yards with six scores and five interceptions.
Swiss Army knife Kallen Ballage did it all last time out for the depleted Sun Devil’s offense. Heck, the running back even through for a touchdown against Washington State. He also caught six passes for over 100 yards and ran for 68 more. This year he has amassed 468 yards and 12 scores.
Wide receivers Timmy White and N’Keal Harry put in the work when Arizona State moves the ball through the air. The two pass catchers have reeled in over 80 catches for over 950 yards and four scores. Unfortunately, White is also questionable for this match-up.
I really shouldn’t mention defense when writing about the Sun Devils. This unit has allowed six schools to score 35 points or more against them, which has resulted in the 115th worse scoring defense in college football. I will say this, you have to give credit to the defensive line though. The front four only give up 117 rushing yards per contest, which is good for 17th in the nation.
Trends And Notes:
The Utes are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Sun Devils are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 home games.
The Over is 7-2 in the Utes last 9 road games.
The Over is 5-2 in the Sun Devils last 7 home games.
Game Prediction:
The Utes got a much needed rest from their most physical game of the season against the Washington Huskies. Like the last three weeks of football, Utah will look to pound the rock with their returning runner Joe Williams. Quarterback Troy Williams should be able to compliment the attack with a few yards of his own. The Sun Devil’s secondary isn’t to hard to crack.
The Sun Devils hope that their quarterback returns ready to play. They will need him to try to keep the Utah defensive front seven honest. Unfortunately, his favorite option Tim White might not be ready to go. Either way, the Utes can expect a huge dose of Kallen Ballage.
Utah is the more well rounded squad, with a solid coach that has had two weeks to prepare for this road game. The health issues that Arizona State may be facing could be just to much to over come in this one. Even if everybody plays, the Utes still will field the better unit on the field at all times. Get More Sports says take the better coach with the better team in this PAC-12 affair. Take the Utes to cover the -5.5.
