Arizona State @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 19, 2013 ) Washington 24, Arizona State 53

Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici has gone 2-1 as a starter over the last three games, but senior Taylor Kelly is expected to get the nod Saturday when the 14th-ranked Sun Devils visit Washington. Kelly, who has been out since breaking his foot against Colorado on Sept. 13, is practicing with the first team this week and appears ready to reclaim his starting job. Kelly accounted for 352 yards and four touchdowns in Arizona State’s 53-24 win over the Huskies last season.

Washington has lost two of its last three, including last Saturday’s 45-20 loss at Oregon. Sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles left the contest with “concussion-like symptoms” and was replaced by freshman Troy Williams, who will get the start against Arizona State if Miles isn’t medically cleared. Washington ranks third in the nation with 27 sacks, but the Huskies will be tested by an Arizona State offense averaging 324 passing yards and nearly 200 yards rushing.

TV: 10:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Arizona State -3.5.

ABOUT NO. 14 ARIZONA STATE (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12): The Sun Devils' defense is coming off its best effort of the season after holding Stanford to 76 rushing yards in Saturday’s 26-10 victory. Coach Todd Graham’s squad is better known for an explosive offense that averages 38.7 points and features wide receiver Jaelen Strong and running back D.J. Foster, who ranks second in the league in all-purpose yards (164 per game). Safety Damarious Randall has 58 tackles to lead the Sun Devils, who have won eight in a row against the Huskies.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (5-2, 1-2): The Huskies missed 30 tackles and allowed 554 total yards in Saturday’s loss at Oregon. Linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha leads the nation in both sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (15.5) for the Huskies’ defense, which took a step back last week after posting strong efforts against California and Stanford. Washington ranks last in the Pac-12 in total offense (364.5) and could be without injured running backs Dwayne Washington (chest) and Lavon Coleman (shoulder) against Arizona State.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State is 20-0 under Graham when leading at halftime.

2. The Huskies’ turnover margin of plus-12 is second in the nation.

3. Arizona State has outscored its opponents 63-20 in the first quarter this season.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 31, Washington 24