Devils heavy underdogs against Ducks

Arizona State at No. 14 Oregon

When: 8:20 p.m. Saturday

Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.

TV/Radio: ESPN/KTAR (620 AM)

Records: Arizona State 4-5, 2-4 Pac-10; Oregon 7-2, 5-1

The skinny

In many ways, Arizona State deserved to beat USC in last week’s 14-9 loss, but a few big mistakes sent the Sun Devils under .500 on the season and on life support for a bowl game. Oregon is a big-time favorite in this game, and with good reason. Although the Ducks lost to Stanford last week in a shootout, they are still atop the Pac-10, and are returning home to Autzen Stadium for this contest, one of the best home-field advantages in the country. Oregon scored only eight points in a season-opening loss to Boise State, but hasn’t been held under 24 since, so the onus will be on the ASU defense to keep this game close. This could be a glimpse of the future for Arizona State, as true freshmen Brock Osweiler (quarterback) and Cameron Marshall (running back) will get the majority of the playing time in the backfield. A road win against arguably the best team in the conference might be too much to ask, but if ASU plays well it leaves the possibility open of two wins to finish the year against UCLA and Arizona, which would make the Sun Devils 6-6 and bowl eligible. That would somewhat salvage a disappointing season. 

Three things to watch

• Brock Osweiler: The true freshman will get his first career start against the Ducks. Autzen Stadium is likely the loudest stadium in the Pac-10, so Osweiler will be thrown into the fire. The offense will be simplified, although that has more to do with the crowd noise of the stadium than the inexperience of Osweiler. If Danny Sullivan’s biceps injury improves, he could be in line to step in should Osweiler struggle.

• Cornered: The cornerbacks’ injuries and suspensions have decimated the cornerback position. Arizona State has only four cornerbacks available for the game, and backups LeQuan Lewis and Josh Jordan are both returning from recent injuries. Oregon prefers to run the ball first, but if the Sun Devils go into a nickel defense, Oregon might try to challenge Jordan or Lewis, two players with limited experience. Deveron Carr played well last week, but this will only be his second career start.

• LeGarrette Blount: The Oregon running back has been suspended since the season opener after punching a Boise State player after that game. He was reinstated earlier this week and will play against the Sun Devils. Blount may not get a ton of carries, but there will be much focus on him. It remains to be seen whether it will be a lift for Oregon or an unneeded distraction.

Lineups

Arizona State offense

WR — Gerell Robinson

LT  — Shawn Lauvao

LG — Jon Hargis

C — Thomas Altieri

RG — Garth Gerhart

RT  —  Matt Hustad

TE  —  Dan Knapp

WR — Kyle Williams

QB — Brock Osweiler

RB — Cameron Marshall

WR — Chris McGaha

Arizona State defense

DE — James Brooks

DT — Lawrence Guy

DT — Saia Falahola

DE — Dexter Davis

OLB — Travis Goethel

MLB — Vontaze Burfict

OLB — Mike Nixon

CB — Pierre Singfield

FS — Clint Floyd

SS — Ryan McFoy

CB — Deveron Carr

Oregon offense

WR — D.J. Davis

LT — Bo Thran

LG — Carson York

C — Jordan Holmes

RG — Mark Asper

RT — C.E. Kaiser

TE — Ed Dickson

QB — Jeremiah Masoli

RB — LaMichael James

WR — Lavasier Tuinei

WR — Jeff Maehl

Oregon defense

DE — Will Tukuafu

DT — Brandon Bair

DT — Blake Ferras

DE — Kenny Rowe

OLB — Eddie Pleasant

MLB — Casey Matthews

OLB — Spencer Paysinger

CB — Anthony Gildon

FS — John Boyett

SS — Javes Lewis

RC —  Talmadge Jackson III

ASU schedule

Date    Opponent    Location    Time

9/5    Arizona State 50, Idaho State 3

9/19    Arizona State 38, Louisiana-Monroe 14

9/26    Georgia 20, Arizona State 17

10/3    Oregon State 28, Arizona State 17

10/10    Arizona State 27, Washington State 14

10/17    Arizona State 24, Washington 17

10/24    Stanford 33, Arizona State 14

10/31    California 23, Arizona State 21

11/07    USC 14, Arizona State 9

11/14    Oregon    Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.    8:20 p.m.

11/21    UCLA    Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.    2 p.m.

11/28    Arizona    Sun Devil Stadium    1:30 p.m.