Todd Graham: Limiting Utes’ rushing attack important for Arizona State
Oct 27, 2014, 9:20 PM | Updated: 11:07 pm
The Sun Devils are back in 80-degree weather after a chilly, blustery victory at Washington last weekend.
But the temperature is about to rise even higher in Tempe, as running back Devontae Booker and the iron-hot Utah Utes come to town Saturday.
Utah is 6-1 (3-1 Pac-12) and fresh off an upset of USC in Salt Lake City. And while last year’s Utes attack was limited by the fingers of ASU alumnus Will Sutton, this team is very different than the one the Sun Devils beat on the road in 2013.
This Utah team doesn’t simply “come to town.” The Utes bulldozed into the Big House and beat Michigan. They plundered Pasadena to beat UCLA, and they overwhelmed Oregon State.
None of these victories were blowouts, but the way Utah pounds at an opponent and its scrappy, wild-finish style sure make the wins seem bigger.
At this point, the Utes shouldn’t be underestimated — especially Booker, who had 26 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown against USC and 563 combined rushing yards against Oregon State, UCLA and Washington State.
