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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs ASU Sun Devils

By Michael Chavez

Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws the ball during the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws the ball during the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils won 51-41. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils won 51-41. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

ASU Offense

This team, despite having the ability to really spread you out, is heavily focused on running the ball. If you run the ball well you burn clock which limits the opposition’s offensive possessions.

This forces their offense to become one dimensional with a heavy emphasis on passing the ball which plays right into the blitz happy Sun Devils’ hands. Geez what a mouthful.

This season the run game has continued to be the emphasis evidenced by Ballage’s 8 scores against Texas Tech earlier this season.

Pairing him with Richard makes for a lethal one two combination with both having the power to bowl you over and enough agility to shake you in the open field. Pair that with quarterback Manny Wilkins’ ability to create magic with his legs and you’ve got a myriad of ways this team can move the ball.

Hold on did I say Wilkins? Because he’s doubtful for this game with a leg injury. By doubtful I mean pretty much out. Enter back up QB Brady White. A mobile QB who isn’t afraid to sling it downfield, White brings a lot of the same type of play as Wilkins to the backfield but isn’t nearly as polished. Of course neither was Wilkins so that should tell you something.

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White won’t be asked to be too much especially in the running department since the Sun Devils can ill afford another QB injury. Bryce Perkins who is the younger brother of former UCLA RB Paul Perkins is out for likely the season with a neck injury so ASU only has three healthy options at QB with two of them being true freshmen nowhere near ready for action at this level.

When White throws the ball he should be looking for both Tim White and N’Keal Harry who have combined for 48 passes caught this season. White has caught 28 passes to Harry’s 20 but has been kept out of the endzone. Potential offensive weapon TE Kody Kohl has been limited to just three catches this season as this offense isn’t designed to feature the versatile tight end.

The Sun Devils want to pound the ball forcing defenses to play closer to the line of scrimmage and devote more guys to the box to stop the run. By doing that they get a chance for their athletes on the perimeter to be isolated one on one and will utilize the bubble screen game in hopes of breaking a long one. This will draw the safeties up but also causes them to widen leaving the middle of the field wide open for a deep shot or two.

It’s a lot to digest but trust me, this offense has the potential to hurt teams if it can execute. That’s a big if at this point.