ASU Football: Getting Back to High Octane

For this upcoming PAC-12 South showdown with Utah, the best thing ASU could do is get back to their High Octane identity.  If there ever was an opponent that should be attacked with a fast-paced, high tempo, spread it around attack–it’s Utah.

Utah is a solid, ball-control, grind it out team.  The last thing they want is for their defense to have to line up every 20 seconds for a snap and endure that for 85 snaps.  Even if Utah stands firm the first couple of series, the ASU offense should still keep the pedal to the metal and go high tempo.  They still need to mix up the run with the pass, but honestly, they should probably try to throw the ball all over the place in the quick passing game.

Utah leads the nation in sacks, averaging 5 per game.  That’s a concern.  But that can be countered with play-action passing, the screen game and the quick-passing game.  Devils in Detail believes that 3 out of the 4 defensive backs for Utah are dead average.  It will be difficult for them to cover Jaelon Strong, Cameron Smith, DJ Foster, Ellis Jefferson and company on deep routes for 75 (or more) plays.  ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly needs to metaphorically get back in the saddle and engineer the type of offensive attack that gave opposing coaches fits last year.  (including getting USC coach Lane Kiffin fired after ASU dropped 62 on them).

Don’t misunderstand, running the ball effectively would help tremendously.  No doubt, offensive coordinator Mike Norvell will try to establish a running game.  If it’s effective, and ASU is able to establish dominance up front, obviously there is no choice but to keep pounding the ball.  But Devils in Detail doesn’t believe that will happen.  What will cause trouble for Utah is having their athletes try to cover up ASU’s athletes in the passing game.  The Sun Devils don’t need to try to hit a homerun on every series.  Just utilizing a “short game” over and over will wear out that Utah defense, setting them up for a homerun later.

So, it would be wise if this ASU offense could get back to their High Octane ways that fans got accustomed to last year, scoring 50 points a game almost every week.  There’s no way Utah can match that tempo or production.  The ASU defense has their hands full, for sure.  But this is a game where ASU’s offense could really help out by using their weapons to light up the scoreboard.