Arizona State @ Utah preview

THE STORY: Quarterback Jon Hays’ debut as a starter at Utah is sure to be a challenge as the Utes host Arizona State and its opportunistic defense. The junior college transfer replaces Jordan Wynn, who is expected to miss two to three weeks with an injury to his left (non-throwing) arm. The Utes joined the Pac-12 this season and are looking for their first conference victory after two losses. Although it is still early, the Sun Devils have their sights set on becoming the first South Division champion and a trip to the inaugural Pac-12 championship game, and appear to have an easy path.

TV: FSN, Root Sports. LINE: Arizona State -4

ABOUT UTAH (2-2, 0-2 Pac-12): Hays, a 6-foot, 212-pound junior, replaced Wynn in the second half of last week’s 31-14 loss to Washington and was 10-of-16 for 156 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble. Junior running back John White IV, also a junior college transfer, has five touchdowns and is averaging 103.8 yards this season. Utah is 104th in third-down efficiency at 33.3 percent while Arizona State leads the country in third down defense (24.2).

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12): The Sun Devils are the only undefeated team in what appears to be a weak South Division. They have a win in the bank over second-place Southern Cal, which is ineligible to play in the Pac-12 final anyway, so Arizona State appears firmly in the driver’s seat. Arizona State has forced 13 turnovers this season, tied for seventh in the country, after forcing 17 all of last season. Running back Cameron Marshall has seven touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State wide receiver Jamal Miles is the only player in the nation to score a touchdown on a reception, punt return and kickoff return, and throw a touchdown pass.

2. Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler, who stands 6-foot-8 and turned down a basketball scholarship to Gonzaga, has completed 68 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

3. Arizona State and Utah were members of the Western Athletic Conference from 1962-77 before the Sun Devils joined the Pac-10 in 1978. The teams last met in 1993.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 24, Utah 16 – The Sun Devils will apply plenty of pressure on Hays and avoid looking ahead to next week’s showdown at No. 9 Oregon.