This is a big game for the Devils. At 4-2, with CAL, USC, and UO still on the docket, I'm not sure we can escape the season with less than 5 losses. That means, at minimum, we need two of three against UCLA, UA, and STAN. Therefore, lose this one, and we put ourselves in a deep hole in terms of becoming bowl eligible.
My keys to the game:
1) Stopping Gerhart. He sprained his ankle in the final moments at UA last week, so he may not be 100%. But, either way, stopping Gerhart is a must.
2) Special teams. Hopefully with another week of rehab Weber will be back to full kicking duties and with more accuracy than last week. Also, Stanford's kick returners are legit. They lead the pac10 in the kick return game, and gave UA fits last week. Have to keep them in check.
3) Efficiency. Sully needs to be around 60% in his completion percentage like last week. Stanford's D is very suspect, and if DE sticks with his dink-and-dunk passing game, Sully should be able to do this.
If ASU can accomplish those three things, in addition to limiting turnovers, ASU has a great shot at going 5-2 as they head into the CAL game. My guess, 24-20 ASU.
My keys to the game:
1) Stopping Gerhart. He sprained his ankle in the final moments at UA last week, so he may not be 100%. But, either way, stopping Gerhart is a must.
2) Special teams. Hopefully with another week of rehab Weber will be back to full kicking duties and with more accuracy than last week. Also, Stanford's kick returners are legit. They lead the pac10 in the kick return game, and gave UA fits last week. Have to keep them in check.
3) Efficiency. Sully needs to be around 60% in his completion percentage like last week. Stanford's D is very suspect, and if DE sticks with his dink-and-dunk passing game, Sully should be able to do this.
If ASU can accomplish those three things, in addition to limiting turnovers, ASU has a great shot at going 5-2 as they head into the CAL game. My guess, 24-20 ASU.