With seven wins, the Sun Devils have clinched that ever-so-valuable bowl status this season. While that is an accomplishment in itself, it can be the gift that keeps on giving to the ASU faithful. Traveling out of state for the last time this season, the Sun Devils go to Manhattan, Kansas. with one possibility in mind – the Big 12 championship.
While that'll still be a tough task, the Sun Devils are still in contention for that elusive title. The path to get there will be tough and what may be the toughest opponent of the season is up next, the No. 16 Kansas State Wildcats per ESPN.
Wildcat head coach Chris Klieman is in his sixth season at Kansas State and has his team rolling again. The Sun Devils have had their fair share of struggles on the road this season, but this is the most vigorous matchup yet.
“This is a really good team,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “This is a team that was picked to win the Big 12 by a lot of people.”
One aspect that could help the Sun Devils is the return of senior running back Cam Skattebo. The star back missed the matchup against UCF and is averaging 5.8 yards a carry and has 11 touchdowns on the season.
Offense
If Skattebo is good to go, it should be a show on Saturday night, as both backfields will have talented rushers leading their squads. The Wildcats are a run-heavy team, like many others in the Big 12, and are ranked third in the conference in rushing.
A big factor in that is junior running back DJ Giddens, Giddens is fourth in the Big 12 in individual rushing with 995 yards on 162 attempts and has found the endzone five times. The Wildcats will pose another challenge for the ASU defense as it's fresh off an inferior performance against UCF giving up 177 yards on the ground.
“I just think he has great vision,” ASU redshirt senior defensive lineman Prince Dorbah said about Giddens. “The way he carries the ball, his elusiveness, he gets downhill, his speed and (the defense) just being able to execute and be fundamentally sound.”
While the Wildcats may not have the most lethal passing attack statistically, sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson is a substantial threat to the Sun Devils' defense.
A dual-threat quarterback will require ASU defenders to be locked into their keys on every single down. Not only does Johnson have good speed, but he can also launch the ball down the field very effectively. He has an 85.2 grade on PFF throwing the ball over 20+ yards, the best out of any of his passing chart numbers.
“He’s a really good, smart kid,” Dillingham said. “(He) can throw 50 some yards, and is super intelligent. So he’s got a really bright future.”
Defense
The Wildcats boast a top 35 defense in the nation that's led by sixth-year defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman. Senior defensive end Brendan Mott is another threat as he leads the Big 12 in sacks with eight.
Klanderman produces a defensive scheme that is focused on stopping the run. The Wildcats have been forcing teams to become one-dimensional all season. Kansas State is ranked eighth in the nation in rushing defense only allowing 99.4 yards a game.
The Wildcats have a talented front seven to help accomplish that goal. Sophomore linebacker Austin Romaine is a major threat as he leads the team in tackles with 69 and is tied as the sixth-best linebacker in the nation, according to PFF with a grade of 89.6.
“I think they’re a hard-nosed team,” graduate offensive lineman Ben Coleman said.” They pride themselves on being physical. I think most importantly, being disciplined. I think physicality comes with football, and the guys who aren't physical, just lose the game to begin with."
Edited by Henry Smardo, Sophia Ramirez and Madeline Schmitke.
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Daniel is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his first semester with The State Press. He has also worked at WCSN, OC Riptide, 1550 Sports and AZPreps365.
