UCLA @ Arizona State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2011 ) Arizona State 28, UCLA 29

Arizona State on Saturday looks to regroup from a lopsided loss to Oregon when the Sun Devils host UCLA, which did not play last week. Both teams are battling for position atop the Pac-12 South race with five games remaining. The Sun Devils had only two penalties for 10 yards against Oregon last Thursday, but that was the lone highlight from a 43-21 defeat that wasn’t nearly that close. The Bruins' offense ranks 16th in the nation at 505 yards per game and their passing attack is among the best in the conference. They’ll be tested by Arizona State’s stellar pass defense, which leads the nation while allowing an average of 130 yards in the air. While UCLA won last year’s matchup 29-28 on a last-minute touchdown, the Bruins have lost five of their last six games to Arizona State in Tempe.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FX. LINE: Arizona State - 6.5

ABOUT UCLA (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12 South): The Bruins feature a balanced offensive attack, with tailback Johnathan Franklin leading the Pac-12 in rushing at 125 yards per game. Redshirt freshman quarterback Brett Hundley averages 308 yards of total offense with 14 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, including four in a 43-17 loss at California on Oct. 6. The Bruins’ young offensive line will be challenged by Arizona State, but left tackle Torian White is expected to start after having a minor heart procedure last week. On defense, the Bruins have largely controlled the line of scrimmage while looking for more consistency from their secondary. After recording only 14 sacks in 14 games last season, the Bruins have 24 sacks in seven games this year, including seven by linebacker Anthony Barr.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (5-2, 3-1): The Sun Devils’ strength is its defensive line, which averages four sacks and leads the nation with 9.43 tackles for loss per game. Two key players left with injuries in the first quarter against Oregon, however, and it’s unclear whether Will Sutton (knee) and Junior Onyeali (shoulder) will be available against UCLA. Sutton is third in the nation with 8.5 sacks and fifth in tackles for a loss with 14. Sophomore quarterback Taylor Kelly had thrown 99 consecutive passes without an interception before throwing two against Oregon, and he leads the Pac-12 in passing efficiency. Freshman tailback D.J. Foster leads the Sun Devils in all-purpose yardage (657 yards), while fellow running back Marion Grice has a team-high nine touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State K Alex Garoutte has missed four of his last six field-goal attempts, and could be replaced by sophomore walk-on Jon Mora against UCLA.

2. UCLA has won 11 of its last 12 games when limiting its opponent to less than 100 rushing yards.

3. The Sun Devils have outscored their opponents 78-7 in the fourth quarter this season.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 24, UCLA 20