Week 8 Game Matchup: Arizona State Sun Devils VS. Stanford Cardinal
Arizona State Sun Devils (4-2) vs. Stanford Cardinal (4-3)
Saturday, October 24, 7:25 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Stanford -6.5
Sam’s Take (31 – 14):
This game will not be for the faint of heart. Get your helmet strapped on tight, because there is going to be a lot of hitting. These two teams couldn’t have experienced more different emotions last week, as the Cardinal lost in devastating fashion and the Sun Devils won on one of the craziest plays of the year.
The story of this Saturday’s game on the Farm will be the battle between the ultra-physical Stanford offense and the ultra-physical ASU defense. I am particularly excited to witness what I am calling the “Battle of #7’s”, as RB Toby Gerhart and LB Vontaze Burfict will surely meet on multiple occasions.
As I see it, the team that gets better play at QB will win this game. While ASU’s Danny Sullivan has looked much improved lately, I am putting my money on Stanford’s Andrew Luck. Luck was incredible against Arizona (save that opening pick six), and he barely resembles a freshman at this point. Cardinal receivers are also starting to step up in a big way, as both Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu have developed into all-conference caliber players.
Danny Sullivan is playing with great confidence right now, but this is the week that he must prove he can play well on the road. In his last away game against Wazzu, Sullivan was absolutely terrible, so it should be interesting to see how he performs this week. I expect Dennis Erickson to call some high percentage screens and quick outs at the beginning of the game so that Sullivan can establish some rhythm.
Ultimately, I expect a very tightly contested game that is played in the low to mid-20’s. The ASU defense will probably be strong throughout, but I think a couple of key Toby Gerhart runs mixed in with a big play from Luck to Owusu may be the difference.
Prediction: Stanford 24 – Arizona State 23
Arizona State Player to Keep an Eye On: WR Jamal Miles - Miles made his debut last week against Washington, showing great speed and explosion which is what the offense could use more of.
Stanford Player to Keep an Eye On: TE Jim Dray - Jim Harbaugh loves to use multiple tight ends in the running and passing game, and Dray is arguably the most complete TE on the team.
Dave’s Take (35 – 10):
It’s really difficult to get a grasp on Stanford at this point. There isn’t much doubt that the offense is clicking; Andrew Luck is a star in the making, as are his main wideouts Chris Owusu and Ryan Whalen; and Toby Gerhart is one of the premier rushers in the country. Stanford’s 429.9 yards per game ranks 23rd in the nation.
The defense, however, has been a major disappointment. The Cardinal have given up 38+ points in two straight games (38 against Oregon State and 43 against Arizona). Yes, these are two high power offenses; but the performances have been inexcusably bad all the same. How will they fare back at home against the Sun Devils?
For the second straight week, Arizona State will have strength against strength when their defense takes the field, and weakness against weakness when their offense takes the field. Ironically enough, it was the offense that came up with the huge play to win the game against Washington; but all due respect to Danny Sullivan and Chris McGaha, that was thanks in large part to a major defensive collapse.
Arizona State hasn’t failed to score 17 points in a game this season, and they shouldn’t fail to do so in this one either. If ASU gets the 17-24 points I expect them to, it would mean that Stanford would have to get into the mid-to-high 20s in scoring. Will they be able to do so against this stingy ASU defense?
My head says yes, but for some reason, my gut says no. It will take a hell of an effort all around, but I think the Sun Devils have it in them; and I think they get away with the upset.
Prediction: Arizona State 23 – Stanford 17
Arizona State Sun Devils, Stanford Cardinal
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Andrew Luck, Chris McGaha, Chris Owusu, Danny Sullivan, Dennis Erickson, Football, Game Matchup, Jamal Miles, Jim Dray, Ryan Whalen, Toby Gerhart, Vontaze Burfict
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