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The Daily Utah Chronicle predicts a Utah win over ASU

The Daily Utah Chronicle sports editor shares what she foresees when the Sun Devils take on the Utes on Saturday

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ASU Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs past Utah's Hunter Dimick (49) during a football game against the Utah Utes at Sun Devil Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. 


Ahead of ASU football’s (3-3, 2-1 Pac-12) game against Utah (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) from Salt Lake City, The Daily Utah Chronicle sports editor Brittni Colindres answered some of the questions about the Utes. 

1) At this point, ASU has to prepare for two different quarterbacks. From what you have seen, what are the strengths of each guy and how do the Sun Devils stop them?

Sophomore Tyler Huntley is a true dual-threat quarterback. He can throw, and he isn’t afraid to take off on his feet and run. His decision making and accuracy help him have success on the field. As for senior Troy Williams, his strength is throwing deep. Williams can run, but he isn’t the same type of runner that Huntley is. To prevent Huntley from passing in the air, if he is the one under center this week, the Sun Devils need to make sure none of his targets to throw to are open. Before Huntley was injured, he was connecting with senior wide receiver Darren Carrington II often — something to watch out for if Huntley is good to go. To slow him on the ground, Arizona State can’t give Huntley any room to run. To stop Williams’ arm, ASU will again need to make it so no receivers are open to catch the ball down field. 

2) Where does Utah stand as a team halfway through the season?

Utah started out solid going 4-0, but it hadn’t really played a team that at the time was decent (North Dakota, BYU, San Jose State and Arizona). The schedule became harder for Utah when it had to face junior Bryce Love and Stanford at home before traveling to the Coliseum to battle with USC — both games Utah fell short in. Despite only a 3-point loss against the Cardinal and a 1-point loss to the Trojans, it’s still an “L” on the Utes’ schedule. They need to break out of their two-game losing streak this weekend against the Sun Devils in order to get momentum going to grind through the second half of their schedule. 

3) What does Utah need to do to keep its winning streak alive against the Sun Devils?

Utah needs to take advantage of every opportunity as it presents itself. Whether that’s making action happen down field or movement on the ground, the team has to jump on the chances it has to make plays happen.

4) What do the Sun Devils need to be prepared for on Saturday?

The Sun Devils should watch out for Utah’s leading receiver, Carrington. Not only is he second in the conference in receiving yards with 593 and yards per game with 98, but he is ranked in the top 20 in the country. On the defense, senior defensive tackle Filipo Mokofisi who has 13 tackles on the season, one interception and two pass breakups to lead the defensive line will be a Ute that ASU should keep an eye on.

5) Who will win?  

I think Utah makes it three-straight seasons of clinching a victory against ASU. With the Sun Devils being winless on the road this year, I don’t see that changing when they visit Rice-Eccles Stadium. 

Prediction: Utah 28, ASU 17.


 Reach the reporter at jpjacqu1@asu.edu or follow @joejacquezaz on Twitter.

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