Preview: #23 Stanford @ #17 Arizona State
Date: 10/18/2014
Time: 22:30 ET
Players to Watch
Ty Montgomery, wide receiver (STAN): Montgomery is as explosive as player as you will see and his playmaking ability on offense and in the return game is phenomenal. He has 37 receptions, more than double the nearest team-mate, for 359 yards and three touchdowns while he averages 21.56 yards per punt return with a touchdown.
Kevin Hogan, quarterback (STAN): Hogan is a frustrating player for many scouts as most just simply do not see the arm talent. However, over his career he has consistently improved on his numbers from the previous year and in 2014 he has 11 touchdowns to four interceptions with 1,325 yards through the air.
Jaelen Strong, wide receiver (ASU): Strong burst onto the scene in 2013 and he has not disappointed in the follow up season. The junior has 41 receptions for 614 yards and five touchdowns through five games, making him one of the most prolific receivers in college football never mind the Pac-12.
D.J. Foster, running back (ASU): Foster is the work horse that opens up the passing lanes. He is averaging over 7.5 yards per carry from his 73 attempts with five touchdowns to his name. With starting quarterback Taylor Kelly still absent with a foot injury, Foster has been crucial to back-up Mike Bercovici’s smooth transition into the side.
Cardinals’ Offense Vs Sun Devils’ Defense
Stanford utilise the run to open up the defense and create passing lanes for Hogan. The more the senior can work play-action, the bigger chance he has of hitting the often double-covered Ty Montgomery down the field. Remound Wright is averaging 5.45 yards per carry and is more than reliable enough to carry the load.
Arizona State wins games by pure offensive dominance. The defence is allowing 31.4 points per game which includes surrendering 62 to UCLA but more importantly 23 and 24 to New Mexico and Colorado. Senior defensive back Damarious Randall has made tackles all over the field and he has 51 total, with 47 of those solo, in five games.
Cardinals’ Defense Vs Sun Devils’ Offense
Stanford lead the FBS in points allowed with just a stingy average of 10 a game being scored against the defense. Sophomore linebacker Peter Kalambayi has been one of the stars with 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss – both of which lead the team. He is not working alone, however, as fellow linebacker Blake Martinez has 45 tackles through six games.
Despite Kelly suffering from an injury, the Sun Devils’ offense is still a three-headed monster with Bercovici, Strong and Foster. The junior quarterback may not be the threat on the ground that Kelly is, but he has proven he can make plays and get the ball into the hands of his best weapons.
Game Preview
Stanford has played two ranked opponents so far this season (USC & Notre Dame) and have lost to both. They are stilled ranked in the AP Poll and this would be the perfect opportunity to get them back in the hunt for a play-off spot.
Arizona State, on the other hand, have played two ranked opponents with a victory over USC and a heavy defeat to UCLA who are now unranked. If people are to take them seriously they must show they can dismiss sides like Stanford who are clearly not at full strength.
Implications
Both teams are ranked in the bottom half of the AP Poll having shown inconsistencies in their games. A win for either side would not only go a long way to dispelling the doubters, but also keep them in the Pac-12 hunt.
Prediction
Despite the Sun Devils’ defense offering up points, I am not sure Stanford have enough playmakers to keep up with their opponents’ offense. ASU 24-20 STAN