UCLA [5-2, 2-2 Pac-12] @ ARIZONA STATE [5-2, 3-1 Pac-12] -- Bruins & Sun Devils collide in noon hour Tempe showdown that has postseason ramifications aplenty.
Both teams trail front-running USC in Pac-12 South standings; Trojans have 1-game conference lead over Devils, 1.5-lead over Bruins, but each will play USC in back-to-back November weekends. Arizona State last week fell to Oregon, while UCLA had weekend off. Game may well be offensive shootout; Sun Devils average 37.7 points/game to UCLA's 31.7. Arizona State's 298.6 ypg is tops in Pac-12, but will be tested by Bruins run game that averages 216.6, 2nd to only Oregon. UCLA's JOHNATHAN FRANKLIN [130-838-4 TD] leads all Pac-12 rushers and Bruins have found their QB of present and future in freshman BRETT HUNDLEY [167-251-1,916-14 TD-7 INT] who is second among Pac-12 passers. ASU counters with soph QB TAYLOR KELLY [122-182-1,693-15 TD-4 INT] who leads conference in overall passing efficiency. Each team utilizes multiple receivers, as only one wideout on either side shows up among conference reception leaders. Devils senior DE BRANDON MAGEE has 49 total stops in 6 games to go along with 3.5 sacks. Bruins improved defense is paced by soph LB ERIC KENDRICKS [32-25-57 tackles] and fellow soph DB TEVIN McDONALD [36-11-47 stops]. Tevin's older brother, T.J. plays for USC and each is son of former San Francisco 49ers all-pro Tim McDonald. Next Three: UCLA -- Arizona, @ Washington State, USC. Arizona State -- @ Oregon State, @ USC, Washington State. Three of UCLA's remaining 4 games after Saturday are home @ Rose Bowl. The Series: 29th meeting in series that began in 1976. UCLA owns 17 wins to 10 for Arizona State with one tie. Home team has won each of last 4 meetings. Last UCLA win: 2011, 29-28 @ Pasadena, CA. Last Arizona State win: 2010, 55-34 @ Tempe, AZ. Last UCLA win @ Tempe: 2006, 24-12. Kickoff: 12:00 noon PDT/3:00 p.m. EDT. TV: FX Network [national cable].
NAVY [4-3, Independent] @ EAST CAROLINA [5-3, 4-1 Conference USA] -- Midshipmen improved Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl chances considerably with stirring come-from-behind victory over Indiana, but face difficult road challenge this weekend at ECU. Pirates outlasted Alabama-Birmingham 42-35 in Conference USA play. Pirates also overcame 2nd half deficit in beating Blazers, and put up 600 yards total offense in doing so. Soph QB SHANE CARDEN threw for 386 yards in leading ECU to four straight TDs over final 22 minutes of play. Midshipmen won for third consecutive time in front of enthusiastic Homecoming crowd @ Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Freshman QB KEENAN REYNOLDS threw a 4-yard scoring pass to WR MATT AIKEN with 2:02 to play. A late Navy interception sealed the win, the Mids' first over a Big Ten opponent since 1979 win over Illinois. Navy needs two more victories to assure bowl eligibility and trip to San Francisco. Navy overcame 17-7 and 30-21 deficits in subduing Hoosiers. Reynolds made just his second start, and was 8-of-13 for 96 yards and also gained 66 yards rushing on 17 carries. Next Three: Navy -- Florida Atlantic, @ Troy, Texas State. The Series: Fourth meeting in series that began in 2006. Navy has won twice, East Carolina once. Last Navy win: 2010, 76-35 @ Greenville, NC. Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. PDT/3:30 p.m. EDT. TV: Fox College Sports [regional cable]
NAVY [4-3, Independent] @ EAST CAROLINA [5-3, 4-1 Conference USA] -- Midshipmen improved Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl chances considerably with stirring come-from-behind victory over Indiana, but face difficult road challenge this weekend at ECU. Pirates outlasted Alabama-Birmingham 42-35 in Conference USA play. Pirates also overcame 2nd half deficit in beating Blazers, and put up 600 yards total offense in doing so. Soph QB SHANE CARDEN threw for 386 yards in leading ECU to four straight TDs over final 22 minutes of play. Midshipmen won for third consecutive time in front of enthusiastic Homecoming crowd @ Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Freshman QB KEENAN REYNOLDS threw a 4-yard scoring pass to WR MATT AIKEN with 2:02 to play. A late Navy interception sealed the win, the Mids' first over a Big Ten opponent since 1979 win over Illinois. Navy needs two more victories to assure bowl eligibility and trip to San Francisco. Navy overcame 17-7 and 30-21 deficits in subduing Hoosiers. Reynolds made just his second start, and was 8-of-13 for 96 yards and also gained 66 yards rushing on 17 carries. Next Three: Navy -- Florida Atlantic, @ Troy, Texas State. The Series: Fourth meeting in series that began in 2006. Navy has won twice, East Carolina once. Last Navy win: 2010, 76-35 @ Greenville, NC. Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. PDT/3:30 p.m. EDT. TV: Fox College Sports [regional cable]
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