ASU Football: Best, average and worst case scenarios against No. 15 Utah

ASU football has a chance to get back in the Pac-12 South race in a matchup with No. 15 Utah. Here are three scenarios for tomorrow’s game.

Lo and behold, Arizona State has a shot at winning the Pac-12.

After an emotional 38-35 win at USC, the Sun Devils set up the best scenario with their four remaining games. Despite a 2-3 conference record, a divisional title could still be in reach if ASU wins at least three of their last four.

The first step comes Saturday against No. 15 Utah, a team defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales called “the hottest in our league.” In four October wins, the Utes dominated their opposition, averaging 41 points per game with a point differential of nearly 24.

The brunt of the Utes’ work comes from running back Zack Moss, a powerful 5-foot-10, 216-pound back that uses his frame to break for big runs. Combined with the dual-threat style of Tyler Huntley, Kyle Whittingham’s squad plans to use deception to their advantage.

Eno Benjamin has been ASU’s most consistent offensive weapon, but the sophomore may have difficulty come Saturday. Utah ranks third in the nation in rush defense, trailing two spots behind another team he struggled against – Michigan State.

It’s sure to be a defensive battle with chunk plays likely to decide the outcome. Let’s take a look at three scenarios that could play out tomorrow afternoon.

Best Case Scenario: Keeping it Rolling

The Sun Devils ride the wave of their newfound momentum, returning home to upset the division’s best team by double digits.

In spite of the emphasis placed on Benjamin, the sophomore creates his own lane by breaking through tackles and extending runs, giving Manny Wilkins an opportunity to target multiple receivers like the USC game.

After finding success in special teams, N’Keal Harry follows up his highlight-filled performance with even more jaw-dropping plays. He returns three punts for over 30 yards and adds a receiving touchdown to secure an insurmountable lead by the third quarter.

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In spite of Huntley’s success, ASU’s defensive schemes misdirect the planned misdirections of Utah’s offense, forcing a similar performance to the Utes’ outings to Washington and Washington State. For once, Gonzales may just call his defense “good.”

ASU’s recent success against Utah comes into play. Last year, it was a 30-10 victory, and this season, it’s a double digit win that elevates the Sun Devils back into the divisional race.

Average Case Scenario: As Expected

The win over USC was memorable, but it’s hard to expect ASU duplicating the performance against a talented Utah team. In this case, the Sun Devils fall by seven points or less to a superior opponent.

The game starts off close, as each defense holds the other scoreless through the first quarter. By halftime, both sides chip in a field goal, replicating a 3-3 tie and the style of football game Herm Edwards loves to see.

Like Stanford, however, the Ute ground game breaks through. Moss explodes for a 70-yard rushing third quarter, laying havoc on an ASU defense that just can’t get enough help from their peers.

From there on, a comeback effort isn’t enough. The Sun Devils are forced to rely on Wilkins’ arm, opening up a late-game interception that sinks ASU in their fifth loss of the season.

Although the mood is somber, it’s not anything unexpected. ASU fought hard and put themselves in position to win, but it came down to losing to a better team.

With three games left, there’s not a lot of time to qualify for a bowl game. At the very least, an opportunity is still there.

Worst Case Scenario: Confidence Exhausted

For some reason, a team’s best win in college football (Oregon, Texas, etc.) is sometimes met with their worst game weeks later. ASU falls in this conundrum, becoming the fifth straight opponent on Utah’s wrecking ball through the Pac-12.

Edwards and Gonzales hoped for their team to have “clean eyes” this week, but Utah’s schemes become too much for a new defense to handle. Moss and Huntley both have strong games on the ground, showing ASU’s corps have taken a step back rather than forward.

On offense, the early deficit upsets Wilkins and Co., who can’t establish their rhythm with Benjamin flattened at or near the line of scrimmage. With more emphasis on his arm, Wilkins picks up some first downs, but can’t maintain scoring drives with Utah falling back in coverage.

The Sun Devils show life in the second half with a touchdown drive that brings the deficit under 10, but Utah responds with back-to-back scores to seal the deal. The Utes all but secure the division, and for the first time this season, ASU gets crushed.

dark. Next. ASU Football: Sun Devils host Utah in pivotal Pac-12 South matchup

This would be a tough pill to swallow. With only a bowl chance remaining, the Sun Devils would have to dig deep to pull out any determination or motivation left.

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