ASU Football: Sun Devils face struggling Ducks in Eugene

Riding a three-game winning streak, ASU football now heads to the Pacific Northwest for a road test against Oregon.

It’s no secret: ASU is at a much different place than it was a few weeks ago. That team didn’t look like it would make a bowl game, but now, the possibilities are much higher.

Arizona State has won three games in a row to get them to this position. The wins over USC, Utah and UCLA skyrocketed the Sun Devils to the top of the Pac-12 South, putting ASU in a favorable position.

Controlling its own destiny in the division race, ASU begins the first of a two-game road stretch to end the 2018 regular season. The Sun Devils first take on the Oregon Ducks before next week’s Territorial Cup game in Tucson.

The Ducks come into this game with damaged wings.

After a 5-1 start to the season, Oregon has now lost three of its last four with the lone win coming against UCLA. Most recently, the Ducks were defeated by an injury-plagued Utah team in Salt Lake City.

One of the main issues recently for the Ducks has been the absence of star tackle Penei Sewell due to an ankle injury. Without him, the offensive line has been in shambles. Not to mention, that could be a reason for quarterback Justin Herbert‘s recent struggles.

Herbert, projected to be the first quarterback taken in the 2019 NFL Draft, has seen a dip in his accuracy this year. He has completed over 60 percent of his passes just four times in the Ducks’ 10 games this season.

But even so, he’s still one of the Pac-12’s best playmakers. Herbert has a stellar touchdown-interception ratio of 25 to six, which is among the best in the nation.

Perhaps the Sun Devil with the toughest task on defense this weekend will be cornerback Chase Lucas. The redshirt sophomore will most likely be tasked with covering Oregon receiver Dillon Mitchell. Leading the Pac-12 in receiving yards, Mitchell is one of college football’s best route runners and pass catchers.

ASU could have trouble applying pressure on Herbert without star linebacker Merlin Robertson, who is suspended for the first half due to targeting.

Because of this, it may be Lucas’ responsibility to lock up Mitchell.

As far as other road games this year, the Sun Devils have struggled. ASU is 1-3 away from home with its lone win coming at the Coliseum a few weeks ago.

Autzen Stadium is among the loudest stadiums in the Pac-12, and the weather in Oregon is, well, different from Tempe. Away from home, this team will need to be as disciplined as it was against USC.

Saturday’s matchup between ASU and Oregon is another “Pac-12 After Dark” showdown. The game begins at 8:30 p.m. MT.