Game 6: Arizona State

Game 6 Preview: The Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2, 0-2) come into Saturday's game at the Coliseum on the heels of two blowout losses to Cal and Oregon, with a bye last week. The Devils were a preseason Top 25 team, and have a roster loaded with talent. However, preseason QB controversies led to the transfer of Sam Keller, one of the top QBs in the country, leaving RS Sophomore Rudy Carpenter at the helm. The other key offensive players for ASU include running backs Ryan Torain and Keegan Herring and TE Zach Miller. The Devils are led defensively by senior linebacker Darron Ware and senior defensive back Zach Cantanese. Arizona State is coached by Dirk Koetter, who is in his sixth season with the team. Koetter has yet to win a Pac-10 game in the state of California.


Arizona State Sun Devils: By The Numbers
Offense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 172.8 yds/gm (29, 2)
Passing: 211.2 yds/gm (50, 6)
Total: 384 yds/gm (37, 5)
Scoring: 28.4 pts/gm (38, 4)

Defense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 153.4 yds/gm (89, 8)
Passing: 210.4 yds/gm (82, 6)
Passing Efficiency: 149.6 (106, 10)
Total: 363.8 yds/gm (89, 8)
Scoring: 27 pts/gm (91, 9)

Miscellaneous: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Turnovers: -4
Sacks: +5



USC Trojans: By The Numbers
Offense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 163.8 yds/gm (37, 5)
Passing: 249.6 yds/gm (25, 4)
Total: 413.4 yds/gm (19, 4)
Scoring: 30.4 pts/gm (31, 3)

Defense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 96 yds/gm (21, 2)
Passing: 193.8 yds/gm (56, 4)
Passing Efficiency: 104.2 (22, 2)
Total: 289.8 (28, 2)
Scoring: 13.8 pts/gm (15, 2)

Miscellaneous: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Turnovers: +4
Sacks: PUSH

Analysis: This Arizona State team has yet to find an identity on offense after the internal controversies that started the year, and yet to learn how to tackle on defense. Expect Chauncey Washington and Emmanuel Moody to run all over the Sun Devils, taking pressure of the Trojans' mediocre passing attack. Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith are expected to play this week, which will just compound problems for the ASU defense. However, dont expect Pete Carroll to try to win this game through the air. The Trojans have a far superior offensive line and rushing attack, and will be able to dominate the line of scrimmage. Defensively for the Trojans, having Sedrick Ellis back for the second straight week should strengthen the line and free up the linebackers to help slow down the above-average attack from the Sun Devils. Even if the Devils offense does manage to put some points on the board, the Trojans should not have any problems winning this one against one of the weakest defenses they will face all year.

Prediction:
USC - 45
ASU - 14