ASU football takes on defending Pac-12 champion Oregon Thursday night. Can the Sun Devils snap their eight-game losing streak against the Ducks? We broke down the primetime interdivisional matchup.
Quarterback
Edge: ASU
ASU redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici gets the nod here mostly because Oregon graduate transfer Vernon Adams Jr. simply has not been healthy for much of this season. Bercovici has yet to show much of what fans saw in his brief 2014 cameo outside of a stellar performance in a win against then-No. 7 UCLA, but has remained solid in throwing for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns with five interceptions this season.
Adams Jr. has thrown for 853 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions through four games so far this season.
Running back
Edge: Push
Sophomore running back Demario Richard will be back and healthy, as indicated earlier this week. He missed ASU's 34-18 loss to then-No. 4 Utah with a knee injury, and the offense suffered en route to just 15 rushing yards as a team. Sophomore Kalen Ballage should benefit from the split in carries, allowing a varied look.
Oregon sophomore running back Royce Freeman has drawn rave reviews from ASU head coach Todd Graham and co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, and for good reason. Freeman has run for 997 yards and nine touchdowns and could be one to challenge ASU's vaunted run defense.
Wide receiver
Edge: ASU
The Sun Devils may not be able to provide what Oregon can as far as true athleticism outside, but ASU has definitely shown more of an ability to utilize its receivers into the offense.
ASU redshirt junior wide receiver Tim White is the top target on either side, catching 22 passes for 303 yards and five touchdowns so far.
The Ducks, as previously mentioned, have some speed outside. The top option is redshirt junior Bralon Addison, who has hauled in 31 passes for 365 yards for three touchdowns.
Offensive line
Edge: Oregon
ASU's offensive line struggled against Utah, failing to keep Bercovici off his back or get push in the run game. This was partly due to miscommunication in a rainy road climate, but this unit has yet to progress as expected.
Oregon has not been much better, allowing just three fewer sacks (21) than ASU this season. However, the Ducks should be at full strength for the first time this season and the offensive line should perform as such.
Defensive line
Edge: ASU
Oregon senior DeForest Buckner might be the best overall player on both defensive front sevens, but it's hard to ignore the strides that ASU has made in its front line this season. The run defense has shown itself to be particularly effective, limiting Utah senior Devontae Booker to less than 20 yards rushing through three quarters before his fourth-quarter explosion.
Linebackers
Edge: ASU
ASU redshirt junior Salamo Fiso has a strong case to win the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year this season. He's been that good. The thing is, he hasn't been that much more outstanding than the rest of the linebacker corps which has seen performances from players such as DJ Calhoun and Christian Sam.
Defensive backs
Edge: ASU
This is less of an accomplishment for ASU than it is an indictment of how poorly Oregon's secondary has struggled this season. Sun Devil sophomore safety Armand Perry is coming off of an injury and his status is uncertain, meaning true freshman Kareem Orr could earn yet another start. Senior Kweishi Brown was repeatedly picked on by the Utes, and redshirt senior safety Jordan Simone has been exposed several times in pass coverage this season.
Special teams
Edge: ASU
For much of ASU's game against Utah, it was perfect on special teams. Junior kicker Zane Gonzalez did not miss once in three attempts, Tim White got the first kickoff return touchdown since 2012 and redshirt junior Gump Hayes nearly broke another return touchdown on a punt just minutes later.
Overall
Edge: ASU
Related Links:
ASU football must focus on execution, not exploitation against Oregon
Scouting the Oregon Ducks: Q & A with The Daily Emerald
Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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