Arizona Football prepares for rival ASU, Territorial Cup Battle

Ending the season with their annual matchup against rival ASU (7-4, 5-3), Arizona Football (1-10, 1-7) prepares for another epic Territorial Cup showdown.

We have finally made it to the end of the 2021 season as Arizona Football is set to take on hated in-state rival Arizona State in Tempe in yet another epic Territorial Cup showdown.

Arizona may be fresh off a big loss to Wazzu on the road last weekend, but it seems like regardless of the results on the field, everything has been building to this game.

As everyone is aware, that 70-7 loss in Tucson last season set off a chain of events that led to the firing of Kevin Sumlin and the eventual hiring of Jedd Fisch. It has also since created the mantra and rallying cry that embodies Arizona Football of things being personal.

Last year, that loss did become personal and the results of that game should provide plenty of drama leading up to this weeks’ game. So we will see if the Wildcats are ready and play with passion and intensity. Either way, the challenge won’t be an easy one, so we will see if Arizona is ready to compete.

Getting to Know the details with Arizona Football’s matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils

Team: Arizona State Sun Devils

Conference: Pac-12

2021 Record: 7-4 (5-3)

2020 Record: Finishing with a 2-2 (2-2) record in the abbreviated Covid season. The Sun Devils had a few game cancellations last year but ended their season with a 70-7 drubbing over the Wildcats before declining to take part in a bowl game.

Head Coach: Herm Edwards is in his fourth season in Tempe, and has led ASU to a 24-17 (16-14) record. He has guided the Sun Devils to two bowl games and will once again have his team bowling once the season concludes.

Key Returners/ Starters:

Offense

This is an offensive group that isn’t elite by any means but is still rather solid overall and can put up points as they are averaging 28.9 points per game which ranks 63rd out of 130 teams.

The Sun Devil offense largely goes through their signal-caller Jayden Daniels. The junior quarterback is having a bit of a down year compared to previous seasons as he has thrown for 2,135 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 176 of 266 passes (66.2 percent).

As we all know, he can move quite a bit in and out of the pocket, which is a big element of his game as well. In 11 games, Daniels has rushed for 584 yards and five touchdowns on 109 carries.

Lastly, Daniels can spread the field, using a few different receivers, although Ricky Pearsall, LV Bunkley-Shelton, and running back Rachaad White seem to put his favorite targets as the three have gotten the majority of the production, combining for 108 receptions, 1,258 yards, and five touchdowns.

ASU also has a few different ball carriers they use, with White getting most of the work. In addition, to him being a talented pass-catcher out of the backfield, he has 902 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns on 161 carries.

Defense

On defense is where ASU tends to excel as they have held opponents to just 21.5 points per game (33rd overall), and just 324.7 yards per game.

This is an aggressive and athletic group that is largely led by linebackers Kyle Soelle, Darien Butler, and Merlin Robertson. These three are very active on defense for the Sun Devils, making tackles in the open, creating disruption in the backfield, and making plays.

Outside of them, the Sun Devils do a nice job in getting in generating pressure in the backfield, as Anthonie Cooper, Tyler Johnson, and Omarr Norman-Lott have combined 8.5 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss.

Lastly, ASU is active in the defensive secondary, possessing a few solid playmakers that have great length and athleticism that do a great job in disrupting passing lanes, providing good coverage, and creating turnovers.

Key Injuries/Absences: 

Arizona State

• DL – Jermayne Lole (Tricep) – Lole will miss all of 2021 as he recovers from surgery on his Tricep.

Arizona 

• LB – Jabar Triplett (Knee) – Still recovering from offseason knee surgery.
• QB – Jordan McCloud (Leg/Knee) – Suffered a leg injury against UCLA and is the rest of the year.
• QB – Gunner Cruz (Thumb) – Suffered a hand injury against Colorado and will miss the rest of the 2021 season.
• DL – JB Brown (Opt-Out) – JB has decided to sit out the rest of the 2021 season.
• LB – Treshaun Hayward (Personal) – Treshaun is once again out due to personal reasons.
• LB – Jerry Roberts, Jr. (Leg) – Jerry suffered a broken leg against Washington State and will miss the rest of 2021.

Game Information: 

When: Saturday, November 27th, 2021

Time: 2:00 PM MST (Arizona Time)

Watch: Pac-12, FuboTV 

Listen: 1290AM or 107.5FM (Tucson Radio)

Spread: +20.0 Arizona (Also, don’t forget to use WynnBet to enhance your betting experience)

Where: Sun Devil Stadium – Tempe, AZ (56,634)

Overall Series Record: 49-44-1 Arizona. The Wildcats and Sun Devils have a deep and rich history, and their rivalry is one of the oldest and most underrated in college football! The Wildcats own a slim lead over the Sun Devils after ASU has won four straight over Arizona as well as seven of the last nine matchups.

Last Meeting vs. Arizona: The last time these two teams met was last year in Tucson where ASU absolutely boat raced the Wildcats en route to winning by a lopsided 70-7 win.

My Prediction: ASU 31 Arizona 20 – Unfortunately, I think the Wildcats have too many distractions and obstacles to overcome. Arizona has been obliterated by injuries and with Don Brown leaving, the Wildcats will come up short on the road against ASU.