Arizona vs. Arizona State Prediction, Game Preview

Arizona vs. Arizona State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins Friday night’s matchup between the Wildcats and Sun Devils.

When: Friday, Nov. 25 – 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
TV Broadcast: ESPN

Arizona (2-9) has not won a game since Sept. 17 against Hawaii. And during that losing streak, Rich Rodriguez’s team has seen itself drop to sixth place in the Pac-12 South division. On Saturday, Arizona fell on the road at Oregon State, 42-17.

Two spots ahead of the Wildcats, in fourth place in the South division, is Arizona State (5-6). The Sun Devils are slipping down their own losing streak after having dropped their last five games. Arizona State fell to Washington on Saturday, 44-18.

Arizona is in control of the all-time series, 48-40-1.However, Arizona State won last season’s meeting in Tempe, 52-37.

What To Know About Arizona

The quarterback play for the Wildcats was subpar yet again in the loss to Oregon State. Brandon Dawkins completed 10-of-17 passes for 106 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Anu Solomon connected on 6-of-11 throws for 82 yards. Dawkins’ lone scoring strike was caught by Nate Phillips, who finished with six catches for 58 yards.

Dawkins did manage to pick up some chunks of yardage with his legs, as he’s done all season long. He ran for 88 yards on 15 carries but never broke into the end zone. Samajie Grant did add pick up six of Arizona’s 17 points, though, and he finished with 31 yards on 12 rushing attempts.

What to Know About Arizona State

The Sun Devils were much better through the air in their loss to Washington. Manny Wilkins did throw a pick, but he also threw for two touchdowns and 227 yards on 20-of-32 passing. Both touchdowns were reeled in by Jay Jay Wilson. Those were his only two catches, as he finished with 27 receiving yards. N’Keal Harry led the team with six catches for 114 yards.

Arizona State never found any success in the rushing attack, though. Demario Richard was given eight carries, and he managed only 25 rushing yards. Kalen Ballage added nine yards on six touches. As a team, the Sun Devils picked up only 15 yards on 27 carries.

Advantages

Offense: Arizona State – Wilkins is far more trustworthy than either Dawkins or Solomon.

Defense: Arizona – Both defenses are awful, but the Wildcats (467.3) are allowing about 47 yards fewer per game than the Sun Devils (514.4) are.

Special Teams: Arizona State – Zane Gonzalez is money in the field goal game.

Coaching: Arizona State – Todd Graham has led his team to more than two wins. But there really isn’t much to discuss about either staff.

Matchup To Watch

Arizona quarterbacks vs. Manny Wilkins

Both Dawkins and Solomon have the ability to create with their legs, and the Wildcats need them to do that against the Sun Devils. Rich Rod won’t ask them to do too much through the air because he can’t risk multiple interceptions and giving Arizona State favorable field position. Wilkins can negate all of that, though, if he has a big game through the air. He, too, can make plays by pulling the ball down and taking off. Whichever team gets more from its quarterback(s), that team will come out on top.

Betting Odds

Spread: Arizona State -3
Over/Under: No line as of publication