Arizona vs. Arizona State Prediction, Game Preview

Longtime rivals, the Arizona Wildcats (6-5) and the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-5), meet in the annual Duel in the Desert. Check out the Arizona vs. Arizona State prediction and game preview.

Arizona vs. Arizona State Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 21
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: Fox Sports 1

Why You Need To Care

It’s been an awful year for college football teams in the state of Arizona in 2015. But facing a hated rival affords the Sun Devils and the Wildcats a chance at an ounce of redemption … or the possibility of sinking further into despair.

Arizona and Arizona State are meeting for the 89th time in the battle for the Territorial Cup. Neither team hit its mark this fall, the former becoming bowl eligible just a week ago, and the latter still waiting to qualify for the postseason. However, both do have a slight gust of wind at their backs. The Wildcats, whose previous best win was over Colorado, stunned Utah in double-overtime last Saturday to send the Pac-12 South into upheaval. The Sun Devils spotted Washington a 17-0 lead before rallying for a 27-17 victory.

Why Arizona Will Win

Lost in all of the mediocrity this season in Tucson is the reality that RichRod’s offense has been cruising along lately. The Cats have scored at least 30 points in five of the last six games, only flipping the script in a 49-3 loss to Washington. While QB Anu Solomon is day-to-day following a concussion, backup Jerrard Randall is no stranger to the field. In fact, Randall’s athleticism has provided a major lift to the ground game. Whether it’s Solomon or Randall in the saddle, he’ll have access to a solid group of weapons, headed by RB Nick Wilson and five receivers with at least 30 receptions.

Why Arizona State Will Win

The Sun Devils can move the chains, too, with veteran QB Mike Bercovici and the running tandem of Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard. However, it’s on defense that ASU will have the edge on Saturday afternoon. Yeah, both rivals have been soft in 2015, but Arizona State’s penchant for pressure will force Arizona into mistakes and third-and-long situations. The Devils lead the Pac-12 in tackles for loss, with linebackers Antonio Longino and Salamo Fiso impersonating guided missiles. And the Cats are gassed in the trenches, having gone an entire season without a bye week.

Player Who Matters

For the first time in a long time, the Arizona State defense will be without one of its inspirational leaders, S Jordan Simone, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week. He’s irreplaceable, especially since the Sun Devils were already thinning in the secondary. Todd Graham is pinning hopes on sophomore backups James Johnson and Chad Adams to patrol the secondary and help neutralize Arizona’s most dangerous receivers, Cayleb Jones, Johnny Jackson, Nate Phillips and David Richards.

What’s Going To Happen?

Arizona is justifiably spent. The Cats are dinged up everywhere, emotionally drained from the Utah upset and having played 11 consecutive weekends. Arizona State will take advantage of its rival, particularly from the defensive side of the ball. The Sun Devils will harass the backfield with a mix of different looks, forcing the Cat quarterbacks into mistakes. Ballage and Richard will turn takeaways into points, each punching in a score. As always, the Territorial Cup will be high-scoring, competitive and extremely entertaining.