5 keys for the Utes vs. Arizona State


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SALT LAKE CITY — What a season it has been for the 2014 Utah football team.

Coming through with just enough in the final moments to come away with a win game after game has Utah bowl eligible for the first time since 2011. The Utes are 6-1, with the latest victory being a 24-21 win over the USC Trojans.

"The atmosphere in Rice-Eccles on Saturday night was unbelievable," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "The way our fans supported our team, and the MUSS, the whole environment was really what college football is all about."

That energy will need to carry through after some bad news broke Tuesday, when it was announced that starting wide receiver Dres Anderson will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Utah's next task is a road matchup with Arizona State, set for Saturday night in Tempe. The game will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1 starting at 9 p.m. MDT (8 MST).

Here are five keys for the Utes as they get ready to take on the Sun Devils.

Keys to the Game: Utes ======================

1\. Hold onto the football -------------------------

Utah fumbled the football four times against USC, twice inside the 10-yard line that negated what should have been scoring drives. The Utes still eked out a win at home, but on the road, losing the turnover battle could be deadly. The Utes will need to work on ball control, especially with opponents trying to use stripping strategies similar to what the Trojans found successful against the Utes.

2. Use a creative passing attack

Losing Anderson at receiver hurts, but Utah can't completely abandon the passing game. Expect ASU to stack the box to slow down Devontae Booker and the Utes running attack, which will create a lot of one-on-one matchups in the secondary. If the Utes utilize some swing passes with proper blocking, Utah could essentially pass to open up the run. Getting the ball to Kaelin Clay and Bubba Poole in space should keep ASU's defense honest.

3. Keep everything in front

Arizona State can score, and score quickly. It only took four plays to move down the field on their opening drive against Utah back in 2012, the last time the Utes played in Tempe. Arizona State jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, largely due to missed defensive assignments.

4. Be red zone warriors

Utah has struggled to get touchdowns in the red zone this season. In 24 red zone opportunities, the Utes have only come away with 13 touchdowns. Sure, it's nice to count on kicker "Automatic Andy," who is 14-16 from field goal range in 2014, but points on Saturday will be at a premium — both in that the Utes have lost their top passing threat and also in Utah having to face yet another high-powered spread offense led by Sun Devil quarterback Taylor Kelly.

5. Utilize Devontae Booker

Last, but certainly not least, the Utes need to utilize Devontae Booker. Booker has tallied four straight 100-yard rushing performances, and once again will be heavily relied upon this week against Arizona State. Utah must remember to feed the hot hand and continue to do what has proven successful in knocking off two top-25 opponents already this season.

Robert Jackson is the cross platform sports and weather producer for ksl.com and KSL-TV. He has covered the Utes for KSL since 2008. You can catch him and co-host Brian Swinney Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. on the Ute Sports Report 1320 KFAN.

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