Wisconsin big challenge for shorthanded ASU
ASU PASS OFFENSE VS. WISCONSIN PASS DEFENSE
ASU’s struggles in the passing game have been well documented and discussed. The Sun Devils are averaging just 197.6 yards, 11th in the Pac-12 and 97th nationally. QB Jayden Daniels (186-for-280, 2,221 yards, 10 TDs, 9 Int) is completing 66.4% of his attempts, up from 58.3% last season. But a go-to receiver has not emerged. Ricky Pearsall (44 rec, 515 yards, 4 TDs), who leads the team in receiving yards, was the closest thing to that with a career game coming earlier this season against UCLA. Wisconsin ranked first in its conference and fifth nationally in passing defense (175.6 ypg). The back end of the Badgers defense is led by All-Big-Ten CB Caesar Williams (24 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 breakups) who has helped Wisconsin hold opposing quarterbacks to a 55.7% completion rate with only one foe passing for more than 300 yards all season. The Badgers have racked up 33 sacks, matching Michigan (33) and trailing only Michigan State (38) and Ohio State (35) among Big Ten teams during the regular season. That includes 22 sacks the last eight games.
Edge: Wisconsin
ASU RUN OFFENSE VS. WISCONSIN RUN DEFENSE
This will be strong suit vs. strong suit and let the better unit win. Arizona State’s 33 rushing touchdowns this season are the most it has had since 2013 (36). If the team gets to 37, it would be the most by a Sun Devil team since 41 in 1973. Unfortunately for
Sun Devil faithful, many of the players instrumental in the success this season will not be suiting up. The
Sun Devils ranked fifth in the conference and 24th nationally (202.3 ypg) but they will be without Rachaad White (opt out) and his backup DeaMonte Trayanum (transfer). Complicating matters is that Daniyel Ngata, who will be the workhorse because of the absence those two, will be without two injured starting linemen in C Dohnovan West (hand) and G Henry Hattis (knee). It will be an especially tall order against the No. 1 rushing defense in the country (65.2 ypg). Wisconsin boasts one of the top linebacking groups in the country led by senior Leo Chenal, the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and Butkus Award finalist with 106 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Fellow senior Jack Sanborn (87 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss) was also an all-conference selection).
Edge: Wisconsin
WISCONSIN PASS OFFENSE VS. ASU PASS DEFENSE
Sophomore QB Graham Mertz is averaging (1,821 pass yards, 58.7% completion rate, nine pass touchdowns, 10 interceptions), which is adequate given the potency of the ground game. The Badgers rank 118th in the nation with 162.1 passing yards per game. Telling is the fact that Wisconsin is 0-3 when Mertz attempts at least 25 passes. ASU was the final team in country to not allow an opponent play over 40 yards this year, a streak that came to a close against Washington
State. Still, ASU’s three total 40-yard plays were tied with Washington for fewest allowed in the FBS this season. This might be a matchup where ASU would have had a decided edge had both starting corners Jack Jones and Chase Lucas not opted out of this game. The good news is that this is an area where the Sun Devils have some depth and those who will be playing are not untested. It is likely to be Timarcus Davis and Kejuan Markham in for the opt outs, with the other substitution being true freshman Eric Gentry in at linebacker for Darien Butler. The Sun Devils were fourth in the Pac-12 and No. 24 nationally in passing defense (199.7 ypg). The return of S Evan Fields (hamstring) will also bolster the back end of the ASU defense. ASU has recorded multiple interceptions five times this season and is tied for 10th in the FBS this season with 15 interceptions.
Edge: Arizona State
SPECIAL TEAMS
The numbers for the teams are quite similar here when it comes to kicking. Senior punter Andy Vujnovich of Wisconsin has averaged 45.8 yards per punt on 46 tries, the sixth-best mark in the Big Ten, with 16 downed inside the 20, 12 of 50 or more yards with a long of 68 yards. ASU’s Eddie Czaplicki has similar numbers, 43.29 average on 42 attempts with 16 inside the 20 13 of 50 or more yards and a best of 62. In the placekicking department, senior kicker Collin Larsh of Wisconsin has made 15 of 20 field goal attempts, knocking down 13 of 16 kicks inside of 40 yards with a long of 43. Meanwhile, Cristian Zendejas and Logan Tyler have combined to make only six of 11 tries with the longest for just 40 yards. In the return game, sophomore Dean Engram is averaging 4.92 yards per punt return with the Badgers kick return unit at 19.8 yards per attempt. Sophomore D.J. Taylor is ASU’s primary return specialist, averaging 22.57 on kicks and 13.3 on punts. His explosiveness and the ability to break loose any time he touches the ball gives the Sun Devils a slight edge.
Edge:
Arizona State
OVERALL
It will be yet another case of the Sun Devils going into a game shorthanded — and in this case it’s because of injuries, opt outs and transfers. The opts outs are White, Lucas, Jones and Butler with RB DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum and WR Johnny Wilson going to the transfer portal. Injured players are West and Hattis. Then consider that Wisconsin had no opt outs so it is almost at full strength, the exceptions being S Collin Wilder (neck) and RT Logan Bruss (foot), who are questionable. Given the players that won’t be suiting up for ASU, this will be a considerable challenge. The unknown factor is who won’t be available for the Badgers, who are dealing with COVID-19 issues.
Pick: Wisconsin 32, Arizona State 14