ASU Football: Previewing the Sun Devils Trip to Stanford

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Arizona State (2-2, 1-0 in Pac-12) heads back on the road for its first conference away game of the season when it visits Stanford (2-2, 1-1 in Pac-12). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.

 

Scouting the Cardinal

• ASU FACES ANOTHER TALENTED TAIL BACK

Coordinator Phil Bennett’s defense has already faced the likes of Larry Rose, Rashaad Penny and Royce Freeman this season. On Saturday, the Sun Devils might have to contain their toughest test yet in Cardinal running Bryce Love. An understudy to Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey the last two seasons, Love is placing his name in contention for national award with a red-hot start to 2017. His 787 yards on the ground is best in the nation, and he is coming off a career-best 263-yard performance in Stanford’s win over UCLA last week. Bennett credited Love’s effective to the 5-foot-10 runner’s speed and vision, calling him a north-south runner who can “take it home” if he gets a crease.

• QUESTIONS AT QUARTERBACK

Unlike ASU’s first four opponents, Stanford is unsettled under center entering the week five matchup. Normal starter Keller Chryst suffered a head injury in last week’s win over UCLA and has yet to be officially cleared to play against the Sun Devils. Even if he is given a green light, Stanford coach David Shaw might be tempted to stick with freshman K.J. Costello, who impressed in the second half against the Bruins. Bennett thinks Stanford will stick with the more experienced Chryst if possible, but Shaw hinted at the possibility of using both Chryst and Costello as well as sophomore Ryan Burns at quarterback on Saturday.

• STRUGGLING DEFENSE

In each of Shaw’s first five years in Palo Alto, Stanford held its opponents to under 400 yards, 260 passing yards, 150 rushing yards and 25 points per game on average. This season however, the Cardinal is failing to do all of that. Instead, Shaw’s team ranks 106^th in the country in total defense. The loss of last season’s leading tacklers Solomon Thomas and Dallas Lloyd has contributed to the shaky defense, as has matchups against top quarterbacks Sam Darnold (USC) and Josh Rosen (UCLA). Last week, Rosen completed 40-of-60 passes for 480 yards against Stanford’s defense in a losing effort. But for a school with a recent tradition of dominant defense like Stanford, the set-backs on that side of the ball this season have been a main cause for its 2-2 start.

 

Keys to the Game for ASU

• BE TOUGH UP FRONT

Even with Chryst healthy this year, the Cardinal passing game has been inconsistent. Stanford’s offense revolves around Love’s and the offensive line’s ability to run the football. As a team, Stanford is averaging 8.2 yard per carry according to sports-reference.com. Employing a physical front, Stanford’s running game loosely mirrors the one San Diego State used to exploit the Sun Devils defense earlier this month. If ASU can contain the Cardinal running game and overcome its physical presence, it would be negating Stanford’s only reliable way to move the ball.

• KEEP FINDING N’KEAL HARRY

The Sun Devils offense was up-and-down in its opening two games, but has found a rhythm over its last six quarters. Sophomore receiver N’Keal Harry has played a key role in helping the offense rediscover its explosiveness. He has 31 catches and 436 yards this season, with the majority of those catches (20) and yards (318) coming in the last two games. Harry also has two fourth down conversion and touchdowns during the last two weeks and has become quarterback Manny Wilkins go-to target through the air.

• MAKE MORE GOOD DECISIONS

While Wilkins has set a school record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception – he has not thrown one since last year’s Territorial Cup game at Arizona – ASU’s turnover margin is just a plus-1, 50^th in the nation. Stanford meanwhile have snagged 8 takeaways so far this year, including 5 interceptions. It’s plus-4 turnover margin is 20^th in the country. While ASU is a 17-point underdog, its recently improving play means Saturday’s game could be closer than expected. If the Sun Devils can take care of the ball, and force some mistakes out of a usually reliable Stanford team, it could be enough to give them a chance to pull the upset.

 

Prediction

ASU is no doubt playing better, but Stanford presents a matchup that the Sun Devils have not fared well in recently. The San Diego State game was evidence enough that the coach Todd Graham’s teams are more equipped to deal with high-scoring and fast-paced attacks than a power running offense.

• Stanford 27, ASU 21

 

Things to Watch For

• LONG RUNS FOR BRYCE LOVE

Stanford’s senior running back has eight career touchdown runs of over 40 yards. ASU has allowed a 95-yard touchdown run this year. Do the math.

• WILKINS’ INT-FREE STREAK

As ASU Football’s twitter account pointed out this week, Wilkins broke Rudy Carpenter’s school record for most passes without an interception last week. Stanford’s defense has five interceptions this season though, and picked UCLA’s Josh Rosen twice last week.

• WHITE UNIFORMS

Saturday will be the first time this fall the Sun Devils will sport a different colored uniform than their traditional maroon top. Going on the road, ASU will wear its white jersey, gold helmet, and maroon pants. Azfamily.com’s ASU Uniformity blog breaks down this week’s uniform here.

• “SET THE EXPECTATION” RIBBONS

Both Stanford and Arizona State will don “Set the Expectation” Ribbons on Saturday to raise awareness for sexual violence. According to the campaign’s founder, it will be the first ever “Set the Expectation” game. Sexual violence and assault awareness has been an important cause to Graham during his tenure at ASU; during the preseason he said the team invites speakers and holds presentations to educate the athletes on the issue.

 

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