Arizona State Football: 3 reasons Sun Devils will beat Arizona in Week 15

2. Arizona State’s defense will shut down Arizona

Both the Sun Devils and the Wildcats have struggled in some portions of the offense throughout the short season. The Wildcats’ offense, however, has shown that their inconsistencies are more permanent than their in-state rivals’.

Arizona’s offense ranks 109th in the nation (last in the Pac-12) in points per game (20) and 92nd (second to last in the Pac-12) in total yards per game (347). They are completely inefficient in extending drives in either the passing or running game. This offense has only been able to convert 29 percent of their third-down attempts (18-of-61) in four games.

The biggest key of the game for the Sun Devils will be how efficient their defense is at stopping the Wildcats in every phase of the game. They will have a defense that accumulated 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Defensive end Tyler Johnson has accounted for 11 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in just two games this season. Tackle Jermayne Lole and end Michael Matus have each accounted for 1.5 sacks.

The Sun Devils’ defense has allowed opponents to a 37 percent third-down conversion rate. This is a tough, but focused, defense that can clearly at an efficient rate.

In the four games played this season, the Wildcats have not been able to score more than three rushing touchdowns despite averaging 161.2 rushing yards per game (67th in the nation). Their offense ranks 92nd in the nation in passing yards per game (185.8).