While most college football teams like to push the pace offensively these days, these teams don't. Arizona State leads the Pac-12 in total defense and scoring defense and Utah is third and fourth, respectively. And at home, the Utes are always much better on that side of the ball as they seem to force a ton of turnovers with that crowd noise. ASU, meanwhile, has allowed more than 23 points just once this year. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts 46 points. That even might be a shade high.

We sometimes forget that teams are allowed to improve as the season goes on, and that's the case with this Utah team. The Utes began the season with Charlie Brewer at QB, and it did not work out. Brewer didn't play well, and was replaced by Cameron Rising. Since the switch, the Utah offense has taken things up a notch and been more dynamic and explosive, which will come in handy in what's likely to be a close, hard-fought game. The Utah offense and the homefield atmosphere will be enough to push the Utes to the finish line here.