UCF (2-7, 0-6 Big 12) at Arizona State (6-3, 4-2), Saturday, 7 p.m, EST (ESPN2)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Arizona State by 3.
Series record: Arizona State leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Arizona State aims to build on its better year-two performance under Kenny Dillingham against a UCF team that just demolished the Big 12’s other school from Arizona. The Sun Devils came in Dead last in the Big 12 preseason poll but are in line for their best start since beginning the 2014 campaign at 8-1. The Sun Devils are coming off a 42-21 victory at Oklahoma State. UCF snapped a five-game losing skid with a 56-12 victory over Arizona the last week of September.
KEY MATCHUP
ASU football defense and offense against UCF and its starting running back RJ Harvey. As for defense, ASU has been pretty good versus the run meaning that they give 111.9 ypg, which is 27 of 128 in FBS. Indeed they do have a tough waiting for them against Harvey and the Knights. For the season, Harvey averages 191.67 and 1 201 yards rushing and 16 TDS, fifth in the fbs. He also has 40 runs of at least 10 yards, six more than the next FBS player. A step behind Harvey, UCF ranks second in the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns, with 2,451 and 26, respectively this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCF: Dylan Rizk. The redshirt freshman played his best game in his first start last week, passing for 294 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 55 yards. Rizk scored the sixth-best PFF grade (90.1) among Power 4 QBs this year.
Arizona State: QB Sam Leavitt. If RB Cam Skattebo is going to miss the UCF game with an unspecified injury, the Sun Devils will rely on Leavitt all the more. The Michigan State transfer has been consistent this season, having passed for 1,470 yards 11 TDs and 4 INTs. He’s also rushed for 284 yards and four other touchdowns.
FACTS & FIGURES
If UCF were to win the game, it would mark the 300th in the program history. … Converting the third downs has improved greatly for Arizona State. The Sun Devils have hit 45% this season, 30th in the country, bettering their 120th ranking in 2017-18 at 31.7%. The Knights have the most 10-plus yard rushing plays with 79 within the season. ASU is 18th in the country in rushing offense with a total of 210.4 ypg. … UCF limited Arizona to five yards rushing the previous week…. Arizona State DB Xavion Alford has given up 6 receiving targets in 277 in-coverage pass attempts.
