Quarterback
ASU redshirt junior quarterback Steven Threet has had his ups and downs this year, moving the ball up and down the field but committing costly turnovers in the opponent’s territory.
Given that he is the starter, should he falter early, sophomore Brock Osweiler could get a chance to show offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone what he can do in a live game against Pac-10 competition.
Should that scenario unfold, it will surely make for an interesting spring camp between the two quarterbacks.
UCLA sophomore Richard Brehaut has done an admirable job in place of injured redshirt sophomore Kevin Prince, but he hasn’t been asked to do much.
Edge: ASU
Running Back
Freshman Deantre Lewis and sophomore Cameron Marshall have combined to average over 5.5 yards per carry and 100 yards a game, and the future for the Sun Devils at running back appears bright.
The Bruins like to run the ball a lot, and they do it effectively with redshirt sophomore Johnathan Franklin, who has nearly 1000 yards on the year.
The Bruins second back, Derrick Coleman, is also a legitimate threat. The two have combined for 12 touchdowns on the year.
Edge: UCLA
Wide Receiver
ASU’s leading receiver senior Kerry Taylor would like nothing more than to finish his Sun Devil career at home with a big game.
The ever-consistent one has 42 receptions on the season in the best year of his collegiate career.
Six ASU receivers have 20 receptions or more on the season.
The Bruins don’t throw much and such they don’t have an identifiable big play threat outside. Junior Taylor Embree leads the team in receiving with just 16 catches.
EDGE: ASU
Offensive Line/Tight End
It appears that ASU redshirt junior tackle Dan Knapp could get the start at right tackle over redshirt junior Aderious Simmons.
The rest of the starting line, with redshirt freshman Evan Finkenberg, redshirt junior Mike Marcisz, redshirt junior and center Garth Gerhart and redshirt sophomore Andrew Sampson, is likely to remain the same.
The Sun Devils have been above average in both pass blocking and run blocking in 2010, seeming to mesh well with the other offensive components.
The Bruins have an extremely large offensive line that is very good run blocking. But they are so one-dimensional that it’s hard to say if they can hold up against a rush.
Edge: Even
Defensive Line
For seniors Dean DeLeone, Jamarr Robinson, and Saia Falahola, ASU’s final home game would be the ideal situation for any of the three to either make a significant impact or record a sack.
Falahola has always been a solid starter, but Robinson and DeLeone deserve a chance to shine at Sun Devil Stadium for all the work they’ve put into the program.
The success of the defensive line still boils down to the play from juniors Lawrence Guy and Jamaar Jarrett, with a measure of pass rush from freshman Junior Onyeali.
Redshirt senior tackle David Carter is the Bruins’ best lineman, but overall, they aren’t very good.
Edge: ASU
Linebackers
ASU sophomore middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict, along with his teammates at the linebacker position, had one of his better games of the year against the powerful Stanford running game. Redshirt junior Colin Parker and junior Oliver Aaron both impressed two weeks ago.
Look for redshirt senior middle linebacker Gerald Munns to get plenty of snaps in his last home game.
UCLA Redshirt junior Akeem Ayers is one of the best linebackers in the nation and will surely create problems for the ASU offense on Friday.
Junior Sean Westgate has been a surprise for UCLA, leading the team in tackles including 9.5 for loss and adding three sacks.
The Bruins defense has been very poor this year and much of the blame has to lie with the front seven.
Edge: ASU
Secondary
Senior safety Max Tabach put in another fine game in his breakout senior season, accumulating 11 tackles against the Cardinal.
Senior cornerback LeQuan Lewis was also a standout at cornerback, and the duo finally tapping into their potential in the final half of their last year.
The Sun Devils’ secondary played well against quarterback Andrew Luck and the Cardinal, and there is reason to believe they can repeat their performance in the final two games.
UCLA Junior Rahim Moore might be the best safety in the conference, but the Bruins have been passed on all season long and haven’t done much in way of creating turnovers.
Edge: Even
Special Teams
ASU redshirt senior kicker Thomas Weber has had a nightmare season, but along with senior redshirt senior punter Trevor Hankins, hopes to end on a positive note in Tempe.
The Bruins’ special teams has been better than ordinary, but not great, as they’ve gotten positive play from both redshirt sophomore punter Jeff Locke and redshirt senior kicker Kai Forbath, but their return game can’t match up with the Sun Devils’.
Edge : ASU
Overall Edge: ASU
Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu
