Over the past two seasons, the matchup between Arizona State and UCLA has become one of the Pac-12's best matchups and the decisive game in the South division. This year, it gets a fitting stage.
The No. 11 Bruins (3-0) and No. 15 Sun Devils (3-0, 1-0 Pac-12) meet Thursday night at Sun Devil Stadium for a contest that will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1, giving both teams an opportunity to make a big statement.
Play-by-play man Tim Brando will call Thursday's game alongside analyst Joel Klatt, who this week took a few minutes to chat with FOXSportsArizona.com about the game, examining the big picture of the matchup and dissecting the keys for both sides.
FSAZ: This game has developed into a big-time clash over the past couple seasons, pretty much deciding the South. Has it become one of the Pac-12's best annual matchups?
FOX Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt expects ASU to 'be absolutely on fire' early vs. UCLA.
Klatt: Yeah, there's no question. I do think that matchups like these tend to be cyclical -- the ones that are not historic rivalries but there are games that get heightened significantly just based on the success of two programs in a small time frame. In the three years that the Pac-12 has had a championship game, it's been these two teams that have represented the South division. When you're constantly playing a game like this that you know is going to decide the division, it's important. My own example: When I was at Colorado, I wouldn't say Kansas State was our rival, but it was always the most important North division game because during my time it was either us or them that represented the North in the Big 12 title game. So that game took on added significance, and that's what this game feels a lot like to me, only to a better degree. I think these two teams are better than what we were back in those days.
FSAZ: What's most intriguing to you about this particular installment of the matchup?
Klatt: I think especially with the quarterbacks being banged up, it just adds this whole other layer to a ranked matchup. You've got these two really solid programs, and they're both battling their experienced star quarterback being banged up. I know (Taylor) Kelly's not going to play, but whether (Brett) Hundley plays or not I think you're going to have to see other areas of the team really pick it up. With that being said, I think we've seen one area of the UCLA team that can be dominant outside of their quarterback, and that's their defense in the first half of that Virginia game. And then we've seen areas of the ASU team that have been dominant outside their quarterback, mainly D.J. Foster. I think he's a wonderful player. So that matchup of what ASU's offense is going to look like with Berco (Mike Bercovici) at quarterback against that UCLA defense, I think that's a wonderful matchup.
FSAZ: ASU's young defense has to be one of the big keys to this game, right?
Klatt: Yeah, they're going to have to play really well. They're going to have to create pressure on the quarterback whether it's Jerry (Neuheisel) or Brett. UCLA historically hasn't done a great job protecting the passer, numbers-wise. There's a lot of factors in that. I know ASU would love more pressure from their down three linemen and from the interior of their defensive line than what they're getting. They've got some good skill in terms of outside linebackers and defensive ends. I know it's young skill and unproven, whether it's transfers from the last couple years or true or redshirt freshmen, but I think that front seven is the most critical for Arizona State.
FSAZ: And how about UCLA? Other than whether or not Hundley plays, what's the key for the Bruins in this game?
Klatt: First and foremost, if they don't go in focusing on D.J. Foster I think they're crazy. I know there are other good players. (Jaelen) Strong is an outstanding player. (Kalen) Ballage is a wonderful true freshman talent. He looks the part of a guy that's going to be a terrific player. So they're going to have to focus all their energy on making sure those skill players for ASU aren't getting loose because Todd (Graham) and Mike (Norvell) do a wonderful job of getting those guys into space. They do a great job dialing up screen passes and things of that nature on the right down and distance, especially on downs and distances where the defense has a tendency to pressure. It's uncanny after watching a lot of the film how many times they're calling screen passes against pressure, which is obviously the perfect time to call it. UCLA's got their work cut out for them no doubt.
FSAZ: ASU hasn't been tested by really good competition yet and comes into this game without Kelly. UCLA has not looked like the national title contender they were pegged to be and has had to survive against lesser opponents. Who has a bigger statement to make in this game?
Klatt: I think Arizona State would make the bigger statement nationally if they were to win. If UCLA wins, people might say "I think they're starting to turn the corner. Even though they haven't lost, they're starting to turn the corner and potentially becoming what we thought they were." So for UCLA all they can do is confirm what people thought or expected of them so far. For ASU, they can immediately elevate themselves above the expectations at least outside and nationally that people had for them. The bigger statement would have to be for ASU.
FSAZ: Final thoughts on how things might play out Thursday?
Klatt: I really believe that Arizona State is going to come out early and be absolutely on fire. I'm expecting Sun Devil Stadium to be an incredible environment. I know they're having a blackout, and that's a frenzied environment that usually drives the home team to some early success. At some point, the above-the-Xs-and-Os players, as I like to call them -- guys that can just make plays regardless of if they're in the right position to do so, like Myles Jack, Eric Kendricks or Brett Hundley -- will have to do something in the first quarter to slow that momentum or grab it for their side. If they don't, I think it could be a really slippery slope for UCLA. This is a game on a week night, traveling, you're not used to it, it's going to be warmer than UCLA is used to. What I'm trying to say is I think UCLA is in for an incredible fistfight, especially early, and if they're unable to counter it could be a long night.
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