Arizona State vs. Washington State Prediction, Game Preview

The Arizona State Sun Devils (4-4) and the Washington State Cougars (5-3) are both looking to rebound from tough losses. Check out the Arizona State vs. Washington State prediction and game preview.

Arizona State vs. Washington State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: Fox Sports 1

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Why You Need To Care

Arizona State and Washington State meet this week in Pullman, both needing an intervention following demoralizing losses to Oregon and Stanford, respectively.

The Sun Devils, one of the Pac-12 biggest disappointments of 2015, fell in triple-overtime to slip back to .500. After beginning the season with title hopes, ASU must now regroup just to qualify for a bowl game. Wazzu resides on the opposite spectrum as one of this year’s biggest surprises in the conference. But how will a program unaccustomed to prosperity react to stumbling late and squandering a chance to supplant the Cardinal atop the North Division? This is a huge week for Mike Leach and his kids.

Why Arizona State Will Win

Talent isn’t the issue in Tempe. The offense has an ample number of playmakers, like backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage and receivers Tim White and D.J. Foster, surrounding QB Mike Bercovici. And the defense is relentless in its backfield pursuit, leading the Pac-12 in sacks and tackles for loss. Plus, after coming close to copping the program’s biggest win in a decade, Washington State could be slow to bounce back this Saturday afternoon.

Why Washington State Will Win

This team has already beaten Oregon and come within a hooked field goal from beating No. 9 Stanford. The Cougars are for real. Washington State is itching to attack a soft ASU secondary that’s last in the Pac-12 in yards per attempt allowed and was just dissected by Duck Vernon Adams. QB Luke Falk will need to be more efficient this weekend, especially in the red zone, dishing the ball to Gabe Marks, River Cracraft and Dom Williams. And like the Sun Devils, Wazzu can create havoc in opposing backfields.

Player Who Matters

Which O-line will be up to the challenge of protecting its quarterback, Wazzu or ASU? Falk vs. Bercovici is one of Week 10’s best QB duels, but their success hinges on the blockers’ ability to keep the pocket clean. The Cougars will have to worry about hard-charging linebackers Salamo Fiso, Antonio Longino and Laiu Moeakiola. Devil blockers must keep their head on a swivel for linemen Darryl Paulo and Destiny Vaeao and rush ends Ivan McLennan and Kache Palacio.

What’s Going To Happen?

Psyches will be tested this weekend on the Palouse. And with both teams facing a crossroad in their 2015 campaigns, Washington State will come out on top, proving just how different this team is from recent editions. The Cougars and the Sun Devils will partake in a QB-dominated track meet won by Falk and his receivers in one of the more entertaining games of the weekend.