The No. 24 Oregon Ducks travel to Arizona to play the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Ducks dominated the Sun Devils 54-35 last season in Autzen Stadium, so Arizona State will be looking spoil the Ducks’ perfect start.
N’Keal Harry / Wide Receiver / Arizona State
After catching 58 passes for 659 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman, N’Keal Harry has already begun to put together an impressive sophomore campaign. In Arizona State’s recent loss to Texas Tech, he piled up 148 yards and a touchdown on 13 receptions. At 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, Harry has the size to give the Ducks’ smaller defensive backs trouble during jump balls. His speed (4.40-second 40-yard dash) isn’t exceptional, but it doesn’t hinder his play.
Christian Sam / Linebacker / Arizona State
Christian Sam appeared to be an up-and-coming player before an injury sidelined him for his junior season. The linebacker amassed 98 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore. Now that he’s healthy, Sam is starting to look like his old self. He had 11 tackles in ASU’s loss to Texas Tech, and has the size (6-foot-2, 237 pounds) to give tight ends and running backs trouble in the flat. If ASU wants to shut the Ducks’ offense down they’ll need Sam to bring constant pressure on the run.
Justin Herbert / Quarterback / Oregon
Justin Herbert looks solid through three games. He’s thrown for 897 yards and currently has a 90.4 quarterback rating. This weekend, he faces a Sun Devils secondary that was torched by Texas Tech for 543 yards and six touchdowns. Last season, Herbert threw for 489 yards against ASU. Now with a year of experience under his belt, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him go even further. While Oregon is typically a run-first team, don’t be surprised to see Herbert air it out early and often. He has the arm and weapons to make life miserable for ASU’s secondary.
Arrion Springs / Cornerback / Oregon
While he’s yet to record an interception this season, Arrion Springs has helped lead Oregon’s defensive resurgence. He currently leads the team with six pass break-ups through three games. While other members of the secondary have more takeaways, Springs will be crucial in Saturday’s matchup with the Sun Devils. At 6-feet tall, he’ll likely be checkin Harry. Harry will likely be ASU’s most targeted player. Springs has the physical potential to jam him at the line of scrimmage. If Springs can give Harry trouble, he’ll derail the Sun Devils’ game plan.
Follow Aaron Alter on Twitter @aaronalter95
Players to watch: Ducks’ secondary will be key in slowing down ASU’s pass-heavy offense
Aaron Alter
September 21, 2017
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