Last year’s 27-19 win over Utah catapulted Arizona State into the national spotlight and jump-started its Big 12 championship run. This season, those same implications apply — but ASU will have to do it without sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Friday night’s Big 12 injury report confirmed rumors and reports about Leavitt’s status ahead of the No. 21 Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) conference clash at Utah (4-1, 1-1 Big 12). Senior quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to make his 27th career start and second in the Maroon and Gold.
Sims got the nod in last season’s loss at Cincinnati after Leavitt went down with a rib injury against Utah. Sims also came in for relief that game. In those two appearances, he completed 52% of his passes for 168 yards and rushed for 55 yards, including a touchdown against the Utes.
Sun Devils coach Marcus Arroyo spoke highly of the experience signal-caller this week at practice.
“He (Sims) shows up every day with a good attitude,” Arroyo said. “He prepares well. He had a whole week of work last week and got a lot of reps over the bye.”
The former Nebraska and Georgia Tech quarterback last recorded a win as a starter on Oct. 8, 2022, but he’ll have a chance at a signature victory in the hostile environment of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
With heavy rain potentially in the forecast, Arizona State will need to win in the trenches and establish the running game early. Sims’ mobility could be a key factor; he has rushed for 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career.
A strong ground game will keep the Sun Devils’ offense on schedule, especially if the weather turns rough, and keep them close to the sticks on third down.
Utah has proven to be one of the best third-down teams, not just in the conference, but in the nation. Offensively, the Utes convert at the second-highest rate in the country, while their defense ranks fourth-best in the Big 12 on third down.
Winning on third down will be crucial to quiet the raucous crowd and control the tempo.
“Their efficiency on third down is based on their efficiency on first and second down,” Dillingham said of Utah. “They also got a QB who can be a plus-one, which adds to their efficiency. We have got to be able to get off the field on third and short and third and medium.”
Dillingham also spoke candidly about Utah junior quarterback Devon Dampier, who played under Sun Devils coach Jason Mohns at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale. He joked that Mohns’ scouting report on his former quarterback had not been beneficial.
“Usually the stuff he (Mohns) says is like, ‘He is a really good competitor and he plays better in big games,’ and I am like, ‘Awesome, great. That’s exciting,’” Dillingham said.
The New Mexico transfer brings a rushing ability ASU’s defense hasn’t faced this season. Last year, Dampier accounted for 31 total touchdowns including 19 on the ground. He’s carried that production into this season, scoring 13 touchdowns while rushing for 258 yards — the second most among Big 12 quarterbacks, behind ASU’s Leavitt.
With Dampier leading the way and Utah’s dominant offensive line paving the path, the Utes boast the Big 12’s top rushing attack, averaging 242.6 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, ASU’s front seven faces one of its toughest tests yet. Anchored by projected first-round tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, Utah’s offensive line ranks among the nation’s best. Sun Devil coach Brian Ward said it’s going to be a heavyweight matchup.
“When you got five guys that could all play in the NFL on their offensive line, and put them up against our front four, it is going to be a great battle,” Ward said. “Get your popcorn ready.”
According to Pro Football Focus, the Utes’ offensive line ranks eighth nationally in pass-blocking grade and seventh in rushing yards before contact among Power Four teams, averaging 2.7 yards per attempt.
It’s a classic matchup of immovable object versus unstoppable force. ASU’s defense allows just 78.2 rushing yards per game and leads the Big 12 in sacks with 19, ranking fourth nationally.
If the Sun Devils’ defensive line can keep blockers off their linebackers, it could slow down Utah’s run game and minimize its time of possession.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Arizona State and Utah are the second and third betting favorites to win the Big 12 behind Texas Tech. A loss will put the Sun Devils in an uphill battle, while a win keeps them in control of their destiny and would give ASU three key tiebreakers against some of the conference’s top contenders, which proved to be vital last season.
For ASU, it will be a test of depth and focus against one of the Big 12’s toughest environments. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. MST at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
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