Opinion
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Clash at California Memorial Stadium: Arizona State Sun Devils vs California Golden Bears in Football Showdown

As the Arizona State Sun Devils prepare to face off against the California Golden Bears at the California Memorial Stadium, fans are eager for a glimpse into what might unfold on September 30. The Sun Devils' recent performances have been a mixed bag, but there's reason to believe they could turn things around.


Oct 2, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) hands off to running back DeaMonte Trayanum (1) against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on September 24 against the Trojans, ASU showed flashes of brilliance despite falling short with a final score of 28-42. Their passing game was notable, with an average of nearly 6 yards per attempt and two touchdowns thrown. The defense managed to sack their opponents twice and forced one fumble which they recovered, showing that they can indeed disrupt their opponent's offense.


However, it wasn't all sunshine for ASU; they also allowed eight sacks and lost two fumbles. This indicates some weaknesses in their offensive line and ball security – areas that will need tightening up before facing CAL. On special teams, ASU was perfect in field goal attempts with two made out of two and had no issues with extra points either.


Looking back further to September 17 against Fresno State Bulldogs where ASU failed to score any points while conceding 29 shows that inconsistency has been an issue for this team. They turned over the ball eight times which is something you just can't afford to do at this level if you want to win games.


Against Oklahoma State Cowboys on September 10, although losing by a score of 15-27, ASU demonstrated resilience by making three sacks and maintaining possession time close to half an hour. Their rushing attack averaged over three yards per carry which is respectable but not dominant.


The upcoming game against CAL presents an opportunity for redemption for ASU. To come out victorious, they must leverage their passing attack effectively while shoring up protection around the quarterback. Ball security will be paramount as turnovers have been particularly costly in past games.


Defensively speaking, if ASU can replicate or exceed their performance from previous weeks – applying pressure on quarterbacks and forcing turnovers – then they stand a good chance at keeping CAL's scoring opportunities limited.


Fans should expect a determined Sun Devil squad ready to make amends for past shortcomings when they step onto Berkeley soil under the lights of California Memorial Stadium. With kickoff scheduled at 7:00 PM local time (UTC), supporters can catch all the action live on Pac-12 Network as both teams vie for supremacy in what promises to be an intriguing football matchup.

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