(Photo: ASU Athletics)
Arizona State hosts the Washington Huskies as part of homecoming festivities on Saturday, and a game that was once regarded as a slam-dunk win for the Sun Devils suddenly looks like trouble.
Washington is coming off of back-to-back losses, but they came at the hands of two stellar teams in Stanford and Oregon. The Sun Devils dismantled Colorado last weekend, but have melted in their two biggest moments this year: in Dallas against Notre Dame and at Stanford.
This is the Sun Devils’ biggest remaining home game, and it’s going to be a battle from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
Arizona State wins if: They somehow find a way to slow down the Huskies best player, running back Bishop Sankey. The junior leads the country in rushing and is averaging over 30 touches per game. He has been a horse for the Huskies and has made the rest of his team better. The Sun Devils can’t stop the run; the only two teams that have failed to run on the Devils have been their two worst opponents, Colorado and Sacramento State. But if Arizona State somehow, miraculously finds a way to at least slow Sankey down, they will win this game.
Arizona State is in trouble if: They lose the turnover battle. The Sun Devils are plus-40 in scoring on drives following a turnover. The Huskies have allowed just one score off of a turnover all year. But none of this will matter if Arizona State can’t force a few turnovers. The Sun Devils have forced 15 turnovers this season, but have forced just one each in both losses this year. Forcing two or more turnovers will not only help slow down Washington’s eighth ranked offense, but will put the Sun Devils in a position to seize control of the game.
Arizona State loses if: Keith Price has a big game. The Huskies quarterback was once viewed as a big-time pro prospect, but his junior season left much to be desired. This year, Price has been solid, throwing for 1,576 yard and 12 touchdowns while cutting down on his mistakes. Price has thrown for over 300 yards three times this season, and would’ve against Idaho State if not for being pulled early in a blowout win. Washington doesn’t have a star receiver, but they do have the best tight end in the country in Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Making Price spread the ball, especially on third down, could be the difference in this one.
Prediction: Washington wins, 44-37. I just haven’t seen enough out of the Sun Devils rush defense to think they can win this game. I understand that Taylor Kelly is almost unbeatable at home. I get that Marion Grice leads the country in scoring. But I’ve also seen lesser running backs have big days against the Sun Devils, and Sankey is easily the best they’ve seen so far. I think this game is a shootout, but ultimately, Washington will be too much for the Sun Devils to handle.
