ASU football coach Todd Graham shouts to Sun Devil football players from the sideline during the game against Washington on Oct. 25. ASU defeated Washington 24-10. (Photo by Andrew Ybanez)If the Sun Devils and Utes were to switch uniforms before storming Frank Kush Field this Saturday, it could take longer to identify each of these Top 25 teams than some would be willing to admit.
Through seven hard-fought games, these two Pac-12 South contenders have boasted more similarities than differences.
Both programs enter this matchup with 6-1 records, each carrying only one conference loss (both of which occurred in week 4).
While the Sun Devils lean more heavily on their passing game, both squads average close to 200 yards per game rushing, and score an average of around 36 points per game. Those statistics have lead both teams to a three game conference win streak heading into Saturday night.
Coach Todd Graham commented on the similarities between not only the two programs overall, but between him and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.
“I’m a defensive-minded guy, so coach Whittingham reminds me a lot of myself,” Graham said. “I’ve watched him, I’ve watched how his players play. You have a program, just like our(s): first thing I said when I walked in here was ‘we’re (going to) play defense’ — and that wasn’t lip service, we have had a major focus to do that, and that is what I see in their program.”
The “major focus" on defense has shown in ASU’s previous two games, where they limited Stanford and Washington to just 10 points each.
The defense also forced five total turnovers in those contests, highlighted by a 61-yard interception returned for touchdown by freshman cornerback Armand Perry last week to seal the deal versus Washington.
That defense will be put to the test once again as they face an opponent that likes to spread the ball around.
Although the loss of star senior wide-out Dres Anderson will hinder the Utes passing attack, five other receivers have at least 10 receptions on the season. This includes junior wide receiver Kenneth Scott, who has hauled in 25 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, Graham thoroughly expects to face a familiar defensive strategy employed by the Utes. His redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly will start his first game back home in Sun Devil Stadium since the season opener versus Weber State in August.
“You look and see how (Utah) gets better every day, they’re tough defensively … they have a kind of blue-collar mentality,” Graham said. “That is what I see on film; I think our teams are similar in that regard. I hope when people look at our program they see the same thing.”
With two teams that advertise many similarities, it could be the minute differences that lead one team to victory over the other Saturday night in Tempe. For coach Graham, he feels with his team on the “crest of the mountain”, it is a combination of focus and pure will-to-win that could push them over the top.
“Don't underestimate the other team. They have a lot of heart; a lot of leadership,” Graham said. “We talk a lot about our personal will — playing Sun Devil football. (Their) team is hungry, we have to be (hungrier) than them.”
Reach the reporter at csafran@asu.edu and follow him on Twitter @ChrisSafran
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.
