There’s no stopping Arizona State or Utah, as they both recorded morale-boosting victories last Saturday to extend their respective winning streaks to three games. One of those streaks will have to end, though, as they square off in a top-of-the-table clash this coming Saturday.
Who will gain the edge in this crucial Pac-12 matchup? Read on for a preview of this college football showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Stanford vs. Oregon and Auburn vs. Ole Miss.
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Utah Utes vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Preview
The Utah Utes will be heading into their game against Arizona State with extreme confidence after a nerve-wracking 24-21 win over the USC Trojans. It was Utah’s biggest win in the Pac-12 since joining the conference four years ago and it has given them a real shot at nabbing the title this season.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Quarterback Travis Wilson was the hero for the Utes as he threw the game-winning touchdown to Kaelin Clay with eight seconds left to send Utah (6-1) into a three-way logjam at the top of the Pac-12 South standings.
They can create separation at the top when they face co-leaders Arizona State this coming Saturday. They will fancy their chances in this game especially with Wilson at the helm. Wilson has been solid for the Utes this season completing 81 of 143 passes in seven games for a total of 1,027 passing yards.
Wilson has yet to throw a pick this season. That will come in handy against an Arizona State team that has only recorded four interceptions this campaign.
They will have to be wary of opposing QB Taylor Kelly though. He was a thorn in their side last season, running for a touchdown and throwing for another in the final three minutes to stun the Utes, 20-19.
Utah will be confident of handling Kelly this time around as they have the most productive pass rush in the college football game today. They already have 35 sacks this season (best in the FBS) with defensive lineman Nate Orchard leading the way with 11.0 sacks.
The Arizona State Sun Devils extended their winning streak to three games after they trounced the Washington Huskies 24-10 on Saturday night.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for Arizona State as Washington staged a second-half fight back to knot the game at 10 in the final canto. The Sun Devils held their nerve, though, as they scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes to seal their sixth win of the season.
It was a perfect return for quarterback Taylor Kelly who was out for more than a month due to a foot injury. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. He was clutch especially in the final drive where he was a perfect 3 of 3 in passing (36 yards) and ran for 12 yards as well.
His record is now 5-0 in all of his starts this year and his comeback will be a big boost to Arizona State heading into their game against the Utes. Kelly has fond memories of Utah’s last and only visit to Tempe, throwing a then career-high 326 yards and three touchdowns in a commanding 37-7 win.
He will have to contend though with a Utah team that is 29th in the FBS in defense, allowing just 21.6 points per game this season.
The Sun Devils and the Utes have met just three times before and Arizona State are a perfect 3-0 in those encounters.
Writer’s Prediction
The Sun Devils (-4.5) cover the spread and win by a touchdown.
