Five games in: Arizona vs. Arizona State
Thursday, October 4th, 2012| Category | Arizona | ASU |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing | 194.4 | 173.2 |
| Passing | 343.8 | 283 |
| Total Offense | 538.2 | 456.2 |
| Scoring | 34.8 | 38.4 |
| Rushing Defense | 166.8 | 139.2 |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 123.18 | 90.25 |
| Total Defense | 451.2 | 276.2 |
| Scoring Defense | 28.4 | 13.6 |
| Net Punting | 39.52 | 35.7 |
| Punt Returns | 6.33 | 9.0 |
| Kickoff Returns | 15.91 | 20.36 |
| Turnover Margin | -0.2 | 0.8 |
| Pass Defense | 284.4 | 137 |
| Passing Efficiency | 133.35 | 167.4 |
| Sacks | 1.0 | 4.2 |
| Tackles For Loss | 5.6 | 9.8 |
| Sacks Allowed | 1.8 | 2.2 |
Arizona State fans will be giddy, at least for the next couple of weeks.
The Sun Devils are 4-1, have found a quarterback in sophomore Taylor Kelly, are on the fringes of the Top 25 and should, with relative ease, post another victory next Thursday at Colorado.
That will set up a huge Thursday night “Blackout” game on Oct. 18 — at home vs. Oregon — that already has launched a mascot war.
With league wins over Utah and Cal, ASU should be considered ahead of schedule in its first season under Todd Graham. The Sun Devils would be 5-0 if they could have made a play at the goal line at Missouri.
But, as was the case last year, we really won’t find out what kind of team the Devils have until they hit the tougher part of their schedule in the second half of the season. ASU has yet to face a dynamic quarterback. That will change.
Meanwhile, Arizona’s first year under Rich Rodriguez already is in its critical stretch, with the Cats facing their third No. 18 team in the country this week at Stanford. UA split against its previous No. 18 foes — beating Oklahoma State and losing last week to Oregon State.
What to make of the Wildcats?
