UCLA brings win streak to Tempe
Keep feeding Felton: Running back Demetric Felton has set a new career high in each of the last two weeks, following up his 167-yard, two-touchdown performance at Oregon with 206 yards and a touchdown against Arizona.
The Bruins have increased their rushing total in each game with Brittain Brown adding 125 yards and three scores over the last two weeks in support of backup quarterback Chase Griffin, who has performed well in the absence of Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Make sure the defense travels: UCLA has allowed 10.0 points per game in two home wins and 43.0 points per game in two road losses. Osa Odighizuwa and Otito Ogbonnia made life miserable for Arizona freshman QB Will Plummer after Grant Gunnell was knocked out of the game and getting pressure on Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels will be critical.
UCLA’s secondary, headlined by play-making safety Qwuantrezz Knight, is emerging as one of the Pac-12’s best units and should create problems for the Sun Devils’ inexperienced wide receivers.
Keys for Arizona State
Knock the rust off: The biggest challenge for the Sun Devils, who have not played since the Nov. 7 opener at USC due to COVID-19 issues within the program, will be getting back up to speed against a Bruins team that finally has some momentum under Chip Kelly.
In addition to the coronavirus problems, which included head coach Herm Edwards testing positive, key defensive starters Aashari Crosswell (safety) and Jack Jones (cornerback) were suspended indefinitely and their status for UCLA has not been announced.
Hit the restart button: ASU was picked to finish second in the South Division and had the favored Trojans on the ropes before letting the 28-27 heartbreaker slip away. Daniels and his talented teammates must block out the disappointment of what is essentially a lost season.
The good news is Edwards is healthy again and treating this game like a second 2020 opener. Their is still an opportunity for the Sun Devils to build some momentum for 2021 with wins over UCLA and rival Arizona to close out the abbreviated regular season.
Prediction
UCLA 27, Arizona State 23: Kelly’s team, which is expected to get Thompson-Robinson back against ASU, has turned the corner and will be riding the wave of a two-game winning streak entering its rivalry game against USC next week.