(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
When Arizona State travels to Eugene on Saturday to take on the Ducks, they will be without starting quarterback Manny Wilkins. Defensive standouts such as Salamo Fiso, Christian Sam and Armand Perry are all questionable. On top of that, a freshman quarterback in Dillon Sterling-Cole will be at the helm in front of a crowd that head coach Todd Graham called the “loudest his team will play in front of.”
Still, when the Sun Devils take on the Ducks at Autzen Stadium, it will be the team’s best chance to get back on track following a 1-3 stretch.
Entering the contest, the Oregon defense is allowing the most total yardage per game in the FBS. In addition, the Ducks’ rushing defense ranks 120th in rushing yardage per game – they’ve allowed 248.4 yards on the ground to opposing offenses this season.
Arizona State will need to expose the ineptitude of the Ducks run defense early and often, with the common use of Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage. For both the running backs and the offensive line, production on the ground could be easier against the Ducks than it has been in recent weeks.
In turn, a successful running game could take some of the heat off of Sterling-Cole and give the freshman more room to operate with ease. Sterling-Cole has underwhelmed over the last two games, but again, Oregon’s defense should inspire optimism.
On the other side, Arizona State’s passing defense still ranks last in the FBS in passing yards allowed with 386.1. That creates an opportunity for freshman QB Justin Herbert, who will be playing in just his third game of the season, his second start.
To this point, Herbert has nine total touchdowns to just two interceptions in his time under center this season.
Herbert has also reaped the benefits of the potent Oregon rushing attack, headlined by Royce Freeman.
Graham and his staff will have their work cut out for them on the road this weekend, still, the match-up against the Ducks remains one of the Sun Devils’ bets chances to get back on track this season.
