3 THINGS TO WATCH
Improved protection. Arizona State struggled in Week 1, giving up seven quarterback sacks and 14 tackles for loss. The Sun Devils will have to be better against San Diego State, which fields one of the nation's most opportunistic defenses. ASU is expected to go with the same five up front, but offensive line coach Rob Sale might work in sophomore Zach Robertson.
About San Diego State
There’s no confusion within this locker room. Behind coach Rocky Long, the Aztecs know who they are. They have posted backto-back 11-win seasons and have won consecutive Mountain West conference championships. Most of Long’s staff has been in place for a while. Some have played for San Diego State. Put simply, this team has an identity and it starts on the ground. Last season the Aztecs rushed on 71.3 percent of its total plays. Donnel Pumphrey – now in his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles – rushed for a nation’s best 2,133 yards. Rashaad Penny added 1,018. Overall, the Aztecs finished with the nation’s No. 7 rushing attack. Defensively, they run a 3-3-5 that excels in forcing turnovers.
Star power
» DJ Calhoun and Christian Sam. This likely will come down to ASU’s rush defense, which means the linebackers will have to play significant roles. In Week 1, Calhoun led the Sun Devils with 13 tackles. Sam finished with eight. They'll need to set ASU's defensive tone.
» Rashaad Penny. The 5-11, 220-pound senior rushed for 197 yards in Week 1, earning Mountain West Player of the Week honors. He had five rushes of 10-plus yards, including a 61-yard touchdown. "He's (also) a kick returner, so that tells you something about his hands,'' ASU defensive coordinator Phil Bennett said. "In their championship Stopping the run. ASU coach Todd Graham compares San Diego State’s rushing game to Stanford's. Last season the Aztecs rushed for 250-plus yards seven times. Twice they topped 400. This season San Diego State features four new starters on the offensive line but the Aztecs remain physical. During Graham’s time in Tempe, the Sun Devils have ranked seventh, third, eighth, fourth and 10th in the Pac-12 in rushing defense. game (last season) against Wyoming, they flexed him out at wide receiver . ... He's pretty special. He's definitely an NFL back."
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In 11 tries, ASU never has lost to San Diego State. In their last match-up, which came in Dennis Erickson’s first season, the Sun Devils won 34-14. In addition, San Diego State is just 2-16 against Pac-12 schools since 2000.
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San Diego State is 9-2 in its last 11 true road contests. Since Oct. 10, 2015, that ties Clemson and Western Michigan for most road wins in the nation. Productive tight ends. San Diego State often lines up with two tight ends, and the Aztecs use them. Sophomore Kahale Warring last week had a team-high five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. Last season, then-senior tight end David Wells was third on the team in receptions.
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Career rushing touchdowns for ASU's Kalen Ballage. The senior running back -- who had two last week -- needs just five more to tie Art Malone for fifth in school history.
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Passes San Diego State has intercepted since the start of the 2015 season. That’s most in the country over that stretch. Utah is second with 41.
Prediction
From here on out, nothing should be easy for the Sun Devils. Heck, even Week 1 didn’t go down as smoothly as it should have, so no doubt, this will be a test. Much will depend on how ASU’s linebackers and safeties fare against San Diego State’s running game. Expect a close contest throughout -- and a narrow ASU win.