Game 7 Preview: Arizona State at Cincinnati

It's homecoming weekend in Cincinnati as the Bearcats (4-2, 2-1) return to Nippert Stadium for a noon kickoff against the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1 , 2-1).

Both teams enter Saturday coming off victories.

Cincinnati went on the road and defeated UCF, 19-13, while Arizona State won a home contest against Utah, 27-19.

With both teams still in contention for a berth in the Big 12 Championship game, Saturday's game has added meaning.

"Great opportunity this weekend." Scott Satterfield told media Tuesday afternoon. 

"We are playing a team that is 5-1 and coming in for Homecoming here for the seventh game of the season. We are both competing for a Big 12 Championship and we are excited about this game. This is what we all signed up for in the Big 12, to be able to host teams like this, and to come here and have a packed house and a great environment for college football. We are excited about hosting Arizona State this weekend. We know they have played some great football so far and they had a huge win against Utah last Friday night."

The Sun Devils will rely heavily on their running back Cam Skattebo, following the announcement that starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will not play. 

(AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)

"They rely on their running back and he is one of the best running backs in the country. He is a very hard runner, old school, hard-nosed runner and refuses to go down. If you like running backs, he's fun to watch. He's going to try to run right through you and make you like it," said Satterfield.

Skattebo has proved to be one of the best backs in the country through six games, ranking third in the country with 170.5 all-purpose ypg.

Skattebo was the highest-graded running back in the Big 12 last week (83.8) and the second-highest graded in the country after rushing for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, while also having 41 yards on four receptions. 

After facing Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech) and RJ Harvey (UCF) in their last two games, Cincinnati coaches and players should have an idea of what to expect Saturday.

“I think it's going to help us, because those guys are hard to tackle," Satterfield explained. "Number one, it starts with your preparation, and being able to fit and be where you're supposed to be. But actually, physically trying to tackle him, a back like Texas Tech and a guy like RJ [Harvey] that are so strong, but yet powerful and also fast. This is a little bit of a different style runner; he plays with great acceleration and tenacity. Whereas, like RJ [Harvey] can make you miss and even Brooks at Texas Tech, can make you miss with a stick."

"He's a guy where you're going to have to get a lot of hats to the ball. First guy may not bring him down, but then the next guy has to be able to get there to bring him down. I do think playing these other backs has really helped that and I think we learned a lot at the Texas Tech game that helped us in the Central Florida game, and hopefully it carries.”

Backup quarterback Jeff Sims will be under center with Leavitt no longer apart of the game plan with an injury. 

After spending his first season at Georgia Tech, Sims decided to transfer to Nebraska before ultimately deciding to spend his third season with the Sun Devils. 

Sims has completed 1-of-2 passing attempts on the season for 13 yards and rushed for 17 yards on four carries. The Florida native completed 392-of-680 passing attempts for 4,759 yards and 31 touchdowns during his first two seasons.

Turnovers ended up being an issue for Sims during those first two seasons, having thrown 29 interceptions.

Junior Jordyn Tyson (25 rec, 369 yds) has 11 catches for 160 yards over his last two games and will likely be the primary target for Sims.

Cincinnati did a great job applying pressure and forcing turnovers in the win over UCF and will have to take a similar approach this week against another run-heavy offense. 

That obviously starts up front with UC's defensive line.

"We've been able to cause some havoc there from the D-line. Dontay (Corleone) has really come on the last two or three games. I thought he played into shape a little bit. That obviously helps. When you get great push up the middle, and now that allows our two defensive ends to be able to do some other things, because now the running back or quarterback gets off the spot that he likes to be on. I think, they're coming along good."

The Cincinnati offense currently ranks second in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally in total offense (460.5), while also ranking second in the conference in time of possession (32:32).

With Arizona State wanting to grind things out with their run game and possessions being limited, taking advantage of every opportunity offensively will be even more crucial on Saturday. 

"You still have to take what the defense gives you. You can't press too much," Satterfield said.

"One of the things I think is a critical stat of this coming game and obviously every week, is the turnover margin. They've been a little bit better than us in the turnover game. I think they're plus five on the season so far, and in these close games they've been playing, and that gives them the edge. We have to be able to take care of the ball and not press too much to try to fit balls into tight windows. Take what they give us."

The Sun Devils have allowed just six plays over 30 yards this season, tied for the 14th-fewest in the country and picked off Utah's Cam Rising three times in ASU's 27-19 win over the Utes.

ASU cornerbacks Shamari Simmons (1st), Keith Abney (9th) both rank in the Top-10 among FBS corners in run defense grades from PFF.

Junior defensive back Myles Rowser leads the team in tackles currently, with 46.

UC's offense has produced 13 plays of at least 40 yards and 19 plays of at least 30 yards, ranking fourth and 12th in the nation.

Being able to hit some big plays either over the top in the pass game or in the run game would go a long way in forcing the ASU defense to take a different approach. ASU has hit the opposing quarterback 21 times this season, good for 23rd among FBS programs.

Junior linebacker Keith Elliott is currently second on the team with 39 tackles, but it is senior linebacker Caleb McCullough who made the biggest impact last week in the win over Utah.

McCullough was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week following a 12 tackle performance against Utah.

McCullough was also named to the PFF national team of the week after being the second-highest graded defender in the Big 12 last week (89.2) and 11th-highest graded defender nationally (and the third-highest graded linebacker) for Week 7. His 90.2 grade on 24 coverage snaps was second  among any FBS player in Week 7.

“They're well-coached and those guys are out there playing hard," quarterback Brendan Sorsby told media Tuesday. "They're 5-1, so they're finding ways to win games. So obviously they're really talented, and we just have to find a way to put points on the board and give ourselves a chance at the end of the day to win the game.”

Final Thoughts:

Cincinnati enters Saturday as a 5.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 50.5 points, following the Leavitt news. 

Both teams have exceeded expectations to date with Cincinnati being picked 14th in the preseason poll and Arizona State being picked 16th. Both teams' only Big 12 loss is to Texas Tech. 

It's easy to say, but whichever team controls the line of scrimmage, likely comes away with a victory.

Arizona State will primarily use a four-man front to try to get pressure on the quarterback and allow their linebackers to blitz when needed to help with pass coverage. ASU has the quickest average time to cause a QB pressure in the Big 12 at 2.36 seconds.

On the flip side, the ASU offense is averaging 211 rushing yards per game. Center Leif Fautanu leads an ASU offensive line that ranks 28th nationally with an average of 2.57 seconds before allowing a QB pressure.

Three keys to victory:

1. Slow the run game down.

2. Win the red zone battle and force ASU to settle for field goals.

3. Don't turn the ball over.

Other Notes:

Cincinnati will see two familiar faces Saturday.

The Sun Devils starting tight end is former Bearcat Chamon Metayer (13 catches, 140 yards, 2 tds).

Defensive lineman Justin Wodtly has nine tackles through five games and is expected back after missing last week with an injury. 

How to Watch:

ESPN+

12:00pm