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Preview: Washington (3-3) at Arizona State (3-2)
Posted October 14, 2009
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FACTS & STATS: Site: Sun Devil Stadium (71,706) -- Tempe, Arizona. Television: FSN. Home Record: Washington 3-1, ASU 2-1. Away Record: Washington 0-2, ASU 1-1. Neutral Record: Washington 0-0, ASU 0-0. Conference Record: Washington 2-1, ASU 1-1. Series Record: Washington leads, 15-13.

GAME NOTES: The Washington Huskies hit the road this week to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in a Pac-10 Conference clash at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

Washington pulled out a 36-33 win over Arizona last weekend. The win snapped a two-game slide for the Huskies. But they've lost both of their road games this season, and three of their next four are away from home.

As for the Sun Devils, they are also riding high following last week's 27-14 win at Washington State. And just like their counterpart, the win also ended a two-game skid. Three of the team's next four games are at Sun Devil Stadium, where they've gone 2-1 thus far on the season.

Washington leads the all-time series, 15-13, but ASU has won five straight over the Huskies.

Washington quarterback Jake Locker ran for a touchdown and had three scoring passes last week against Arizona, including one that cut the deficit to five with just under three minutes to play. Locker finished with modest passing totals (12-of-23 for 140 yards), but he reeled off 92 rushing yards on 11 carries. On the season, the Huskies rank second in the Pac-10 in passing offense (237.67). Running the ball, however, has been a different story. After Locker's 92 yards, the team managed just 24 yards on the ground. Chris Polk (81 ypg), who is battling a shoulder injury, was limited to 34 yards on nine carries.

Washington linebacker Mason Foster (11 tackles) turned the tide against Arizona with a 37-yard interception return in the final two minutes. He caught the ball after it deflected off an Arizona player's foot. Still, the Huskies were pretty leaky against the pass for much of the game. Four different Wildcats notched at least six receptions, and David Roberts went off for 12 catches, 138 yards and a touchdown. But the UW defense came up big when it needed to, and Desmond Trufant turned away Arizona's final drive with an interception on fourth down. Overall it was an inspired effort for a pass defense that ranks 102nd in the nation (256.67 ypg).

The ASU offense didn't put on a particularly dazzling show, but it was enough to get the win last week against Washington State. On the plus side was senior wideout Kyle Williams, who caught 13 passes, including a touchdown, and accounted for 126 of quarterback Danny Sullivan's 169 passing yards. Williams forms a potent one-two punch with Chris McGaha, who is closing in on 2,000 receiving yards for his career. However, on the down side were Sullivan's three interceptions. Sullivan has been somewhat of a work in progress, as he is completing just 53.4 percent of his passes and has thrown more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four).

The Sun Devils boast the nation's third-ranked defense, allowing just 221.8 total ypg. Teams are scoring only 15.8 ppg against them, which ranks 19th in the nation and second in the conference. One of the keys for the Sun Devils has been their ability to come up with big plays and create turnovers. They are a plus-1.4 in turnover margin, ranking eighth in the country in that department. Last week at Washington State, ASU recorded a school-record 12 sacks in addition to holding the Cougars to minus-54 rushing yards. Believe it or not, the rushing total wasn't a school record, though it was the third- lowest in program history.

Both teams possess different strengths and weaknesses. Locker has been more reliable under center than Sullivan, but the Sun Devils have a huge advantage on defense and will be playing on their home turf.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arizona State 36, Washington 28


 
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