GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: After rolling off 266 yards rushing in the season-opener, Arizona State totaled just 44 and 36 yards on the ground the following two games. Rendering the run ineffective made the Sun Devils somewhat one-dimensional, evident in quarterback Manny Wilkins attempting 48 and 46 passes.
Although limiting the big-play ability of Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry is a priority, shutting down Arizona State’s run game allows Washington to best dictate the game’s pace. The Sun Devils feature one of the more veteran offensive lines in the Pac-12, but Washington counters with an experienced front seven on defense.
DRAFT SLANT
–S Taylor Rapp is a do-everything weapon in the Washington defense. He’s a turnover-generating ball-hawk in pass coverage, but also provides run-stopping supporter and comes hard in pass-rush on blitzes. The matchup with Arizona State will give Rapp a chance to shine in every phase, but his presence is especially noteworthy as Washington seeks to slow projected first-round wide receiver prospect, N’Keal Harry.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Myles Gaskin moved to No. 7 all-time among Pac-12 rushers, passing both Ka’Deem Carey (Arizona) and Stepfan Taylor (Stanford) with his performance in Week 3. Gaskin needs 78 yards to overtake former UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin for sixth, and is 484 yards shy of USC’s 1981 Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Allen, for fifth.
–RB Salvon Ahmed should be available against Arizona State despite seeing just three carries Week 3 at Utah. Coach Chris Petersen told reporters on Monday that there were “no concerns” about Ahmed’s health.
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