The Associated Press
No. 18 Utah (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) at No. 15 Arizona State (6-1, 4-1), 11 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Line: Arizona State by 6.
Series Record: Arizona State leads 19-6.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Pac-12 South Division title and a possible spot in the College Football Playoff are in the mix for both teams. The Sun Devils lead the South, a half-game ahead of the Utes and Arizona, and a loss will all but end both teams’ shot at the playoff. The Devils were 14th in the initial playoff, the Utes 17th.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah KR Kaelin Clay vs. Arizona State’s punt coverage. Clay is third nationally with 22.5 yards per punt return and has scored four touchdowns on returns (one kickoff). The Sun Devils have had some lapses in kick coverage and will need to contain Clay, especially if it’s a close game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Utah: WR Kenneth Scott. He leads the Utes with 25 catches, but could garner more attention from the Sun Devils after senior Dres Anderson, the team’s second-leading receiver, was lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Arizona State: QB Taylor Kelly. The Sun Devils’ senior returned last week after missing three games with an injured right foot. He showed some signs of rust and took a shot to the head, but led Arizona State to a hard-fought road victory against Washington.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arizona State has won 10 straight in the series, including a 20-19 victory in Salt Lake City in 2013. This will be the first meeting with both teams ranked. … Utah leads the nation with 35 sacks and in net punting at 44.1 yards. … RB D.J. Foster has a reception in all 34 games he’s played at Arizona State. … Utah is 2-0 against ranked teams this season, with wins over No. 8 UCLA and No. 20 USC.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
