[tps_title]ASU at Utah[/tps_title]
[tps_header]7 p.m., ESPN[/tps_header]
ASU (4-2, 2-1) AT
NO. 4 UTAH (5-0, 2-0)
7 p.m., ESPN
Pointspread: Utah favored by 5.5 points
— The line opened at 7 points in favor of Utah has dropped to 5.5.
— The Utes have been outgained in three of their five games and they are just 50-plus yards on the season. Utah is not ranked in the top 20 in offensive or defensive efficiency.
— Utah is in a three-way tie for the national lead in turnover margin at plus-2 per game. The Utes are plus-10 overall, rank tied for second with 17 takeaways and tied for third with 12 interceptions. They picked off California’s Jared Goff, a Heisman Trophy candidate and expected high first-round draft pick, five times in last Saturday’s 30-24 win over the then-No. 23 California.
— ASU turned the ball over nine times in the first four games but had just one each in wins at then-No. 7 UCLA and Colorado.
— “Obviously, it’s a very difficult place to play,” coach Todd Graham said of Rice-Eccles Stadium. “It will be very loud, a very challenging place. But that’s going on the road in the Pac-12. That’s the way it is. But obviously they’re very deserving of their fourth ranking in the country.”
BETTING TRENDS
Arizona State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Arizona State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona State’s last 6 games
Arizona State is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Utah is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Utah’s last 16 games
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
My pick: ASU will win and cover
Steve Rivera’s pick: Utah will win and cover
Anthony Gimino’s pick: Utah will win but ASU will cover
