TERRITORIAL CUP MATCHUPS: RUNNING BACK
Michelle Gardner compares the Arizona State and Arizona football teams at running back ahead of their Pac-12 college football game on Saturday.
Arizona
The Wildcats are third in the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game (175.7) with quarterback Khalil Tate a factor in that. Junior J.J. Taylor is the leading ground gainer with 134 carries for 673 yards (5 yards per carry) and five touchdowns for an average of 67.30 yards per game, but he has only two games of more than 100 yards and they were against Northern Arizona and Stanford. The Wildcats do have better depth at the position than ASU does with others able to contribute including Gary Brightwell (368 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Nathan Tilford (228 yards, 4 touchdowns). Arizona could be bothered by issues along the offensive line with four missing last week's game against Utah, which the Wildcats lost 35-7.
Arizona State
The Sun Devils rely on junior Eno Benjamin (915 yards, 8 touchdowns) who has 14 100-yard games in his career, five of which have come this season. His best of the current campaign was a 137-yard effort in a win over Washington State. Benjamin has also proven valuable in the passing game with 333 yards in receptions. He has proven proficient at getting the hard yards but has had some ball security issues which were not a problem a year ago in his breakout sophomore season. The Sun Devils also gave some carries to A.J Carter early but he has not been a factor lately. Wide receiver Kyle Williams has carried the ball and done well when given that opportunity. The offensive line has made some progress which has shown in the results of recent games.
Advantage: ASU