2 Minute Drill: WSU’s keys to victory on Saturday at Arizona State

Don’t take your eyes off …

Tim White might not have a touchdown yet, but don’t let that strange fact lessen your opinion of ASU’s dynamic wide receiver. White already has 44 receptions for 525 yards and is an exceptional playmaker for the Sun Devils. Coach Todd Graham said he runs angrier than any player he’s coached – think a fullback on a wide receiver’s body. If ASU can get White the ball, he is bound to be a handful for the WSU defenders, and maybe finally find the end zone.

When WSU has the ball …

Expect the Cougars to throw it deep. The Sun Devils have been particularly vulnerable to the long ball and WSU’s wide receivers will certainly want to exploit that weakness. The Sun Devils have given up 96 passing plays of more than 10 yards. No other team has given up more than 75 such plays. The numbers are even more glaring on the deep heaves: ASU has allowed 20 completions of more than 30 yards, while no other team has given up more than 12.

When ASU has the ball …

The Cougars must keep them out of the red zone. No Pac-12 team has been better at scoring once it gets to the 20-yard line than ASU, which has only failed to put points on the board once in 27 trips to the red zone. The Sun Devils make hay with their running game once they get close to the end zone, scoring 15 rushing touchdowns from inside the red zone. The Sun Devils have yet to miss a field-goal attempt.

Did you know?

This is homecoming weekend for the Sun Devils, who have won five of their last six homecoming games. This is also the 30-year anniversary of ASU’s 1986 team that won the Rose Bowl in an upset of Michigan.