Quarterback
ASU senior Rudy Carpenter, like the entire ASU offense, had a night to forget against UCLA last Friday, passing for just 101 yards and no touchdowns.
Carpenter will enter Saturday’s game needing 251 yards through the air to pass Andrew Walter for most career passing yards in school history. A victory against the Wildcats would put him alone in second place on ASU’s all-time list for wins by a starting quarterback (27).
UA senior Willie Tuitama has also spent the greater part of four years as the Wildcats’ starter and has passed for 2,479 yards and 19 touchdowns so far this season.
Both quarterbacks have had very successful careers at their respective schools, but Carpenter will have the extra motivation to put his senior night behind him and go 4-0 against UA.
Edge ASU
Running backs
The ASU running game returned to its anemic state against UCLA, gaining just 21 net yards on the ground.
The corps might also be without junior Shaun DeWitty Saturday, who is questionable to play because of a back injury.
UA sophomore Nic Grigsby ranks fifth in the Pac-10 Conference in rushing, averaging 86.5 yards per game.
The ASU rushing attack that appeared to be on the upswing took a gigantic step backwards last week, while UA’s has been pretty consistent all season.
Edge UA
Receivers
ASU senior wide receiver Michael Jones has been the most consistent receiver for the Sun Devils all season long, ranking third in the Pac-10 in receptions per game (5.3) and receiving yards per game (64.6).
UA senior Mike Thomas is one of the best wideouts to come through the Wildcat program, as he is the all-time career receptions leader (246) and ranks third in school history in receiving yards (3,127).
Sophomore tight end Rob Gronkowski is also a huge weapon for the Wildcats, catching 37 balls for 550 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns so far this season.
ASU’s receiving corps has never really reached its full potential as a whole this season, while UA has one of the most dangerous wide receivers and tight ends in the conference.
Edge UA
Offensive line
After Carpenter hit the turf three more times against UCLA last week, ASU now ranks eighth in the conference in sacks allowed (31).
The line also contributed to the Sun Devils’ poor rushing performance against the Bruins, which was their worst since they mustered just four yards on the ground against Georgia on Sept. 20.
UA’s offensive line ranks sixth in the conference in sacks allowed (26) and has helped the Wildcats average 169.4 rushing yards per game, which is good for fourth in the Pac-10.
ASU’s offensive line is still a huge work in progress, even in its last regular season game.
Edge UA
Defensive Line
ASU’s defense played its best game in recent memory last week against UCLA, and it all started with the amount of pressure put on the quarterback by the defensive line.
Junior end Dexter Davis, senior end Luis Vasquez and freshman tackle Lawrence Guy each recorded sacks in the game, and Davis still ranks second in the conference with 10 quarterback takedowns.
The Sun Devils rank fourth in the Pac-10 in rushing defense, giving up 128.5 yards on the ground per game.
UA ranks eighth in the conference in sacks (19) and sixth in rush defense (140.9 yards per game).
UA has good individual talent on the ends, but ASU’s defense is hot right now and has received more recent production from its entire line.
Edge ASU
Linebackers
ASU juniors Mike Nixon and Travis Goethel each returned interceptions for touchdowns against UCLA, helping ASU tie an FBS record with four defensive scores.
Nixon now leads the Pac-10 with five interceptions, ranks fifth in the conference in tackles per game (7.4) and should be in the running for the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
Overshadowed by all those defensive touchdowns was the performance of senior Morris Wooten, who notched 17 tackles and two sacks against the Bruins.
UA senior Ronnie Palmer leads the Wildcats in tackles (70) and also has 2.5 sacks and an interception so far this season.
With the performances ASU’s linebackers keep churning out week after week, it may be the most underrated unit in the Pac-10.
Edge ASU
Secondary
ASU ranks seventh in the Pac-10 in pass defense (201.8 yards per game), but continues to get outstanding play from senior safety Troy Nolan.
Nolan returned his fourth interception of the season 100 yards for a touchdown against UCLA. It also marked the third time Nolan has found the end zone this season (two interception returns, one fumble return).
UA ranks third in the conference in pass defense, giving up 173.9 yards through the air per game.
Senior safety Nate Ness is second on the team in tackles (68) and has also recorded two interceptions and six pass breakups this season.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Trevin Wade has also had a great debut season, as he is tied for second in the conference with four interceptions this season.
Nolan has been stellar all season long, but UA’s entire secondary has found more success overall.
Edge UA
Special teams
ASU sophomore kicker Thomas Weber is second in the Pac-10 in field goals made (18) and has nailed 11 of his last 13 attempts.
Junior Kyle Williams (17.8 yards per return) and senior Nate Kimbrough (12.6 yards per return) rank first and second in the conference in punt return average, while Williams also ranks sixth in kick return average (22.8 yards per game).
UA kicker Jason Bondizo has made 12 of 14 field goals so far this season, while sophomore Keenyn Crier ranks third in the Pac-10 in punting (44 yards per punt).
Both teams have great kicking games, but ASU’s return game is more dangerous and could be a factor changes momentum.
Edge ASU
X-Factor
In recent seasons, it’s usually the Wildcats are trying to play spoiler against the Sun Devils, but this year the tables have turned.
UA will go bowling for the first time since 1998, while ASU needs a victory against the Wildcats to earn its fifth straight postseason berth. And for the first time in years, UA has the pressure of being expected to win this game.
But while the UA faithful are generally calling this the best season in recent memory, it really has not been much different from the year the Sun Devils have had.
ASU and UA have the same record against common opponents (4-4), and the Sun Devils would actually finish ahead of the Wildcats in the Pac-10 standings and go to a better bowl game if they can win in Tucson.
Bold prediction: ASU does just that, and brings validation to what was considered such a disappointing season one month ago.
Edge ASU
Overall Edge ASU
Reach the reporter at gina.mizell@asu.edu.
