10 things to know about Utah vs. Arizona State


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SALT LAKE CITY — Arizona State hasn't been kind to the University of Utah on the football field.

In two meetings since joining the Pac-12 conference, Utah has lost to the Sun Devils by an average score of 36-10.

But last night's Stanford win over Oregon raises some valid questions — just how good is Stanford? And just how good is Utah for beating them?

The Utes haven't fared well at all since their big win over the Cardinal, a win that now seems like an eternity ago. Two disappointing road losses have dropped Utah's record to just 4-4 overall, 1-4 Pac-12.

Can the Utes get back on track this week against a team that has historically had their number?

Utah (4-4) vs. No. 23 Arizona State (6-2)
  • Utah (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) vs. No. 23 Arizona State (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12)
  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 9
  • Time: 2 p.m. MT
  • Site: Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017/FieldTurf)
  • TV: Pac-12 Networks
  • Radio: ESPN700 AM, Sirius 136/XM 194
  • Series Record: ASU leads 18-6
  • Last Meeting: 2012 (ASU 37-7)
Series Snapshot
Arizona State holds an 18-6 series lead and has won the last nine games—seven which were played in Tempe. Utah's last win was a 31-28 verdict in Tempe in 1976 when both teams were members of the Western Athletic Conference. Current Utah co-offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson was the head coach at ASU in Utah's 2011 loss.

Here are ten things you need to know to impress your friends as we count you down to kickoff:

  • Utah (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) hosts No. 23 Arizona State (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. MT in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Some bleacher seats and standing room tickets remain. Contact the ticket office at utahutes.com or call 801-581-UTIX. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
  • Utah has not beaten Arizona State since 1976. ASU is winners of nine straight against the Utes, though those games are spread across a span of 36 seasons. Even so, it is the second-longest active winning streak by one current Pac-12 program over another in the conference and an ASU victory would tie Oregon's streak over Washington (10) for the longest active streak in the conference.
  • Utah and ASU have played two common opponents. Utah beat Stanford 27-21 and lost to USC 19-3. Arizona State lost to Stanford 42-28 and beat USC 62-41.
  • There are six teams ranked in the top 20 nationally in total offense AND defense: Louisville, Wisconsin, Florida State, Ohio State, Baylor and Arizona State.
  • Utah leads the Pac-12 and is ranked second in the country in fewest fumbles lost (2). On the flip side, Senior defensive end/linebacker Trevor Reilly's three fumble recoveries is tied for third in the country.
  • The ASU defense has forced opponents to 55 three-and-outs on 117 drives (47.0 percent). ASU now ranks second in the nation this season in forcing defensive three-and-outs at 6.88 per game and their 55 three-and-outs forced this season at the most among all FBS programs. On the season, the Sun Devil offense has only gone three-and-out on 24-of-117 drives (20.5 percent), a total that currently ranks tied for 12th nationally. ASU is the only team outside of Baylor ranked in the top-12 in both categories.
  • The theme for the ASU game is Salute America and the Utes will wear helmet decals to honor the nation's military, first responders and veterans. The marching band will perform a special military presentation at halftime that will feature the Armed Forces medley, a big flag presentation and a balloon release. Fans are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to the game.
  • ASU has points on the board when in the red zone 95.5 percent of the time against FBS opponents this season, ranking fifth nationally in the category, as per TeamRankings.com (and outside of a kneel to run out the clock inside the the five-yard line against Colorado, is a perfect 100 percent in the last six games). With exception of mercy kneel against Colorado, ASU has now scored on 42-straight red zone drives.
  • Home field advantage at Rice-Eccles Stadium is real. While the Utes are just 1-7 against the spread (ATS) in their last 8 conference games, Utah is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games. Current line? Utah +6.5 (Arizona State favored to win by 6.5 points).
  • Utah co-offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson was the head coach at ASU from 2007-11 and his team beat the Utes the last time the Sun Devils visited Salt Lake City in 2011. Erickson was the 2007 Pac-10 Coach of the Year in his first season at ASU.

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