ASU Football: Previewing the Sun Devils’ homecoming showdown with USC

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Unlike most schools, Arizona State’s homecoming football game is no cupcake. The Sun Devils welcome division foe and No. 21 ranked USC to Tempe on Saturday night, in a game with big Pac-12 South title implications. Kickoff is at 7:45 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

Scouting the Trojans

• SAM DARNOLD

Sam Darnold’s breakout game a year ago came against ASU, when the then-redshirt-freshman threw for more than 350 yards and 3 touchdowns in USC’s 41-20 walloping of the Sun Devils. That victory sparked a turnaround from a 1-3 start for coach Clay Helton’s side last year, eventually becoming the first of nine straight victories to end their season. This year however, Darnold has been bitten by the turnover bug; he has thrown 10 interceptions already and fumbled the ball on a six other occasions. Outside of the giveaways, the sophomore has been productive, completing 63 percent of his passes for almost 2300 yards and 17 touchdowns. According to ESPN, his Total QBR is third-best in the conference. But the turnovers have been the biggest trouble spot and have left the Trojans fighting an uphill battle almost every week.

• INJURIES

Few teams in the country have been as beat up as USC this year. The Trojans’ defensive front has been hit especially hard:

It has resulted in a steadily deteriorating run defense. In their first six games, the Trojans allowed their opponents to gain more than 125 yards on the ground only twice. But in the last two weeks, USC has surrendered 169 rushing yards to Utah and a ghastly 377 to Notre Dame. Leading pass-rusher Christian Rector, and his 6.5 sacks this season, will be unavailable in Tempe this weekend after he broke his hand. Offensively, USC could be without running back Stephen Carr for a fourth straight game with a foot injury, once again forcing Ronald Jones to carry most of the load on the ground.

• SLOW STARTERS, INCONSISTENT FINISHERS

During USC’s nine-game winning streak last year, the Trojans were strong early in games — not once during the winning streak did they trail after the first quarter. This season though, USC has been leading at the end of the first quarter only three times in eight games. They’ve been inconsistent in comeback efforts as well: in non-conference play, USC needed late fourth quarter pushes to survive scares against unranked Western Michigan and Texas. Last week against Notre Dame, the Trojans never looked competitive in a 49-14 blowout loss. Conference play has been just as bumpy; an impressive week two win over Stanford has been forgotten thanks to a loss at Washington State, an unexpected battle at Cal and a narrow one-point home win over Utah.

 

Keys to the Game for ASU

• STICK TO STATUS QUO

ASU has played like a different team since its bye week two weeks ago. Its run defense has been excellent, the Sun Devils have successfully dealt with injuries on both sides of the ball and have found a ball-controlling rhythm on offense. Confidence in Tempe is at a season-high. If ASU can make it a hat trick of improved performances since its off-week, it could give the school a strangle hold atop the Pac-12 South standings.

• REIGNITE THE BIG PLAYS

While the Sun Devils have been effective offensively in terms of ball control and ball security the last two games, the overall offensive production has been waning since an explosive beginning to the season. The offense eclipsed the 400-yard mark in all but one of its first five games, but has failed to do so in each of the team’s past two victories. The pass attack has also been absent lately, producing less than 200 yards in three straight games. Less offense hasn’t meant less success in recent weeks for coach Todd Graham’s squad, but against a USC team that averages over 30 points a game, Saturday would be an opportune time for ASU to combine the big numbers with gripping control of the game.

 

Things to Watch For

• WIDE RECEIVER ROTATION

Thanks to early season injuries, ASU’s receiver rotation has been shorthanded for most of the season. It has meant the trio of N’Keal Harry, Kyle Williams and Jalen Harvey have become the top aerial weapons on the offense. But redshirt sophomore and week one starter John Humphrey is getting healthier week-by-week after suffering a knee injury against San Diego State. Another redshirt sophomore, Ryan Newsome, has also begun to turn a corner and made a 19-yard catch last week.

• SNAPS

ASU has been able to knock off conference contenders Washington and Utah in consecutive games because, first and foremost, the Sun Devils have controlled the pace of the game. Between the two wins combined, ASU has run 27 more plays than its opponents. Graham has commented several times over the last two weeks how important that snap stat is to him, and it could prove to be key against the Trojans this week.

• STRIPE OUT

As part of its homecoming week festivities, ASU is planning a Sun Devil Stadium “Stripe Out” for the game against USC. Not often known for having an electric atmosphere, the Sun Devils long-time home will likely be louder than usual this week, with its team facing the chance to jump into first place in the Pac-12 South.

Here is a map for what the Stripe Out will look like:

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