It’s not about to get easy for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds after an embarrassing loss last weekend. Up next for them is a date with the No. 25 Arizona State Sun Devils. Can the Thunderbirds pull off an early shocker in college football and win this Thursday? Or will the Sun Devils start their season with a loud victory? Check out our preview of this game below.
Southern Utah didn’t take off this season on a positive note. In the Thunderbirds’ first game of the season, they fell prey to the San Jose State Spartans on the road to the tune of a 45-14 score. Southern Utah let the game slip out of reach from the get-go, as the Thunderbirds got buried in a 21-point deficit by the end of the first quarter. Justin Miller went 15-for-29 for 117 passing yards, but it was wide receiver Judd Cockett who delivered the only Southern Utah touchdown with an eight-yard strike to Miller in a trick play. If the Thunderbirds are to beat Arizona State, it would take a whole lot more creativity from them. If anything, the offensive line at least allowed just a sack, while the defense had an interception. Those small feats can keep bettors’ confidence in the Thunderbirds to at least cover the spread against a heavily favored opponent.
Much is expected of the Sun Devils this season, with Herm Edwards on the sidelines trying to steer the team. They will get a gimme matchup in Week 1 of the regular season against an FCS team, a test that Arizona State should easily pass. Under center for the Sun Devils is quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is ready to take that next step after a solid 2020 campaign. Last season, he passed for 701 yards and five touchdowns on an interception. That said, Arizona State should remain a run-heavy team just like a season ago when it was sixth in the nation with 264.2 rushing yards per game. Back for another year in Tempe is a backfield that’s composed of returnees in Rachaad White, Chip Trayanum, and Daniyel Ngata. Those three can have their way against Southern Utah’s defense that surrendered 5.8 yards per carry to the Spartans last Saturday.
