ASU

ASU football has tough challenge in slowing California QB Jared Goff

Doug Haller
azcentral sports
Oct.10, 2015; Salt Lake City; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff scrambles during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

BERKELEY, Calif. - This is a strange place for Arizona State to be a couple days after Thanksgiving. Usually, the Sun Devils close the regular season against rival Arizona. This season, they do so against California, which presents a couple of obstacles.

The first is obvious: The hangover effect. Last week, the Sun Devils beat the Wildcats in the Territorial Cup. It felt like the end of the season. It looked like the end of the season. Only it wasn't. One more week. One more opponent.

It's safe to wonder how much ASU has left in its motivational tank.

"It's not like that, and I'm really sincere about that,'' coach Todd Graham said. "Whether you're winning or losing or whatever, it's kind of what you do every day. It's a body of work. It's not as reactive as most people think."

ASU and California are in similar positions, but both traveled different roads to get here. The Sun Devils (6-5, 4-4 Pac-12) have won two in a row and believe they have a chance to salvage a disappointing season. The Golden Bears (6-5, 3-5) have lost five of six – including to rival Stanford last week – and are looking to give their seniors a final home win.

Both teams are bowl eligible. The winner could end up in the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl, played Jan. 2 at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

California was hot to start, winning its first five games, climbing into the Top 25. Junior quarterback Jared Goff was getting Heisman Trophy attention. Then, it all fell apart. Since Oct. 10, the Golden Bears have won only once – against lowly Oregon State.

ASU football vs. California scouting report, prediction

But that's not the team Graham has seen on film.

"Anybody that's watched them – really watched them – they have not struggled,'' he said. "They have gotten points scored on them (but) their offense is as good as any group that we've gone against. Their quarterback is the best we've played against – period. Their receiving corps is as good as any – obviously, I'd put USC at the top of the list – but these guys are definitely up there at the top. These guys are dangerous."

That's the second obstacle – stopping Goff, a junior who ranks in the Top 10 nationally in passing yards (337.3 per game) and touchdown passes (32). Whenever he decides to leave school, he'll likely be a first-round NFL draft choice, which means this could be his final game at Memorial Stadium.

"Right now, I'm just trying to beat Arizona State and go to 7-5 and go to a bowl game and win that," Goff told Cal beat reporters this week. "I owe it to myself and my teammates to do that."

Arizona State at California: TV, radio information

Complicating matters: The Sun Devils have struggled against the pass most of the season. Their last two opponents – Washington and Arizona – tried to beat them over the top several times. Washington had success. Arizona got separation, but couldn't complete the passes. Overall, ASU ranks 123rd out of 128 teams in passing defense, and against California, it's expected to start two safeties still learning on the job.

Freshman Kareem Orr – limited the last two weeks with an upper-leg injury – practiced this week at bandit safety, while senior Solomon Means worked at free safety. Orr started the season at cornerback, then moved to free safety, where he started seven consecutive games. Means played nickelback most of the season before earning his first start at safety last week The recent moves came after senior bandit safety Jordan Simone suffered a season-ending knee injury.

"He's very capable,'' co-defensive coordinator Chris Ball said of Means. "Very athletic. We ask a lot of that position as far as our scheme goes, and he's a mature kid, a senior. He handled it really well."

Notes: ASU backup LB Marcus Ball gaining trust at spur

Graham expects the same maturity from the entire team.

"This game is about who wants it,'' he said. "That's what this game is about, and I feel good about where are guys are. I think they're going to play well."