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Arizona State, by the numbers

Arizona State by the Numbers

The "by the numbers" previews have been conspicuous by their absence of late, so there's no time like the penultimate game of the season to revisit. Rather than individual stats, this version is a look at the results that USC and Arizona State have against the conference teams that they have both played.

First, Arizona State:




Offense

Defense


Opponent
Result
Passing
Rushing
Passing
Rushing
Other Notes
Cal
W, 31 - 20
219
144
261
98
ToP 37.30, T.O. +1
Oregon
L, 23 - 35
379
110
200
200
ToP 35.20, T.O. - 1
Oregon State
W, 44 - 32
361
35
190
324
ToP 30.50, T.O. +4
Stanford
W, 41 - 3
266
174
237
-2 (!)
ToP 34.26, T.O. +2
Washington
W, 44 - 20
227
296
142
146
ToP 35.33, T.O. -1
Washington State
W, 23 - 20
217
78
369
82
ToP 35.21, T.O. -1

Total
1669
837
1399
848


Average
278.2
139.5
233.2
141.3


And then, USC:



Offense

Defense


Opponent
Result
Passing
Rushing
Passing
Rushing
Other Notes
Cal
W, 24 - 17
129
239
199
200
ToP 30.19, T.O. +1
Oregon
L, 17 - 24
277
101
157
182
ToP 30.59, T.O. -1
Oregon State
W, 24 - 3
187
100
85
91
ToP 29.34, Push
Stanford
L, 23 - 24
364
95
149
86
ToP 32.08, T.O. -4
Washington
W, 27 - 24
236
224
90
100
ToP 34.51, T.O. -1
Washington State
W, 47 - 14
302
207
183
64
ToP 33.02, T.O. - 1

Total
1495
966
863
723


Average
249.2
161
143.8
120.5


So, numbers.

I took a look at the Scouts preview, and the crux of their thinking was that ASU has the better quarterback and wide receivers, but SC otherwise has the edge. The notion is that SC's strong run defense will force ASU to pass more, and ASU's relatively porous offensive line not very good at protecting Rudy Carpenter (the team's yards per play average for the season is nearly a yard shorter because of all the sacks - from 4 yards and change to 3 yards and change).

The numbers suggest that the teams are well matched on offense, with USC having a slight disadvantage in passing and advantage in running. The defense, on the other hand, is not as close. If the Trojans take it easy on the turkey and don't get all sleepy from tryptophan overloading - as well as keeping a lid on the usual penalties, minimizing turnovers, stuffing the run, and putting pressure on Carpenter - they've got a reasonable chance of winning this game.

However, this is ASU's shot at the Rose Bowl - so they won't be taking the game at all lightly. Simply minimizing mistakes probably won't be enough for SC, so hopefully they can muster a little enthusiasm.