The Associated Press
No. 14 Arizona State (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12) at Washington (5-2, 1-2), 10:45 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Line: Arizona State by 3 1-2.
Series Record: Arizona State leads 16-15.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Arizona State controls everything going forward in the Pac-12 South. The Sun Devils have already beaten USC. They still have games remaining with fellow South contenders Utah and rival Arizona. But the Sun Devils can’t afford any slip ups against the Pac-12 North teams they will face, beginning with Washington. The Huskies are working on bowl eligibility and salvaging another season with losses to Oregon and Stanford.
KEY MATCHUP
Arizona State’s QBs vs. Washington’s secondary. Washington’s young secondary received an education last week from Oregon’s Marcus Mariota. Now they are preparing to likely see two quarterbacks. Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly is expected to make his first start in more than a month after a foot injury. Mike Bercovici filled in more than admirably, throwing for 510 yards and the game-winning Hail Mary in the win over USC and throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown last week against Stanford. Kelly is more of a running threat.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arizona State: RB D.J. Foster. Foster is one of two running backs in the country with at least 600 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving this season. He’s caught at least one pass in all 33 games he’s played for the Sun Devils.
Washington: LB/RB Shaq Thompson. With Washington’s running back group thinned by injuries, Thompson could end up getting a few more carries on the offensive side of the ball. Whenever he’s had the ball in his hands this season good things seem to happen for the Huskies. Thompson has four defensive touchdowns — three fumble and one interception return — and one score on offense on a 57-yard TD run.
FACTS & FIGURES
Washington QB Cyler Miles will start if he’s been cleared after suffering a concussion against Oregon. If Miles isn’t cleared, redshirt freshman Troy Williams likely to get the start. … Arizona State has won eight straight over the Huskies dating back to 2002. … Arizona State beat back-to-back ranked opponents (USC and Stanford) for the first time since 1997.
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