Arizona State vs Arizona Odds, Picks, Predictions (11/25/22)

Arizona State visits Arizona in the latest Territorial Cup meeting. Arizona State is coming off a blowout loss to Oregon State, while Arizona is coming off a loss to Washington State where they weren’t that competitive either. This should be an interesting matchup because both teams want to rebound, on top of the hatred that fuels this rivalry. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Arizona State vs. Arizona Odds

Arizona is a 4-point home favorite against Arizona State and is at -180 on the money line. The over/under is also at 64. Arizona is this slight of a favorite because they are the home team, and have showed more consistency as a team this year, especially on offense.

ASU has been a bit of a mess this year on offense and defense, so oddsmakers are going with the more trusting aspect here in Arizona. The over/under seems about right too because both of these teams are very bad on defense, so a lot of points are going to be scored here.

Arizona State vs. Arizona Prediction & Pick

The pick: Arizona -4

Arizona has the best overall unit in this game of the two teams with their offense. The Wildcats average 30 points and 461 total yards a game on offense. Jayden de Laura has been very good for Arizona this year in the passing game and the revolving door of running backs the Wildcats use have all been very good. The best position group for the Wildcats is easily their wide receiving corps. Jacob Cowing, Dorian Singer, and Tetairoa McMillan could all be the primary receiver for any number of teams in the country and Arizona has all three of them as their starting wide receivers this year. Any one of those receivers could go off and they put such a strain on a defense.

ASU also just doesn’t have the defense to defend against this Arizona offense. They give up 31 points and 416 total yards a game on the year. The offense has been okay at best, but just has not found any type of consistency, especially at the quarterback position. It is still a question at this writing, of who will start for the Sun Devils, either Emory Jones or Trenton Bourguet. That uncertainty is not good, even with a bad Arizona defense on the other side. ASU should be able to move the ball on the ground with Xazavian Valladay running the ball. Take Arizona here in a shootout, the home field advantage should put the Wildcats over the top here.

Arizona State vs. Arizona Key Matchups

Can Arizona State slow down Jayden de Laura? Can Arizona contain Xazavian Valladay?

Jayden de Laura vs the Arizona State Secondary

Jayden de Laura has been very good for Arizona this year, and a much needed upgrade from where they were. He has 3,485 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and he has a a 63% completion percentage on the year. His main issue this year has been consistency from game to game. He only missed six passes against UCLA two weeks ago, but then last week threw four interceptions against Washington State. ASU allows 237 passing yards a game, so if de Laura can take advantage then Arizona could win easily.

Xazavian Valladay vs the Arizona Front Seven

Xazavian Valladay has easily been the best part of the ASU offense this year. He has 191 carries, 1,095 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns on the year. Even in the games that the Sun Devils have struggled in overall, he’s still had solid performances, like how in the last two weeks he’s gone over 100 yard and rushed for a touchdown a piece. Arizona’s biggest weakness is their run defense and they give up 214 yards on the ground. Arizona State will be in this game if Valladay can get lose a bit against this bad rush defense.