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Arizona State's Dangerous Trio Puts Red Raiders Defense On Alert
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- Arizona State's Dangerous Trio Puts Red Raiders Defense On Alert
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Texas Tech football has revenge on its mind, but three Arizona State offensive playmakers could complicate the Red Raiders' plans Saturday.
No. 10 Texas Tech enters its Homecoming showdown undefeated at 5-0, looking to avenge last season's 26-22 loss to the Sun Devils.
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Joey McGuire's defense has helped carry the Red Raiders into the national championship conversation, but Arizona State brings enough offensive talent to make things uncomfortable.
The Sun Devils are 3-2 after defeating Hawaii 30-12, and these three players deserve particular attention.
Cutter Boley | Quarterback
Everything starts with Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley, a 6-5 Kentucky transfer who has thrown for 1,229 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions through five games.
Boley has completed 99 of 158 passes, connecting on 62.7 percent of his attempts while averaging nearly 246 passing yards per game.
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He's also contributed 85 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving Kenny Dillingham another option when plays break down.
His arm strength and ability to attack downfield make him especially dangerous against a Texas Tech secondary that has occasionally surrendered substantial passing yardage.
But Boley can be pressured into mistakes.
Against Baylor, the Sun Devils managed just 19 points in a lopsided 55-19 defeat.
Texas Tech's defensive front must disrupt his timing, eliminate comfortable throwing lanes and force difficult decisions.
Omarion Miller | Wide Receiver
If Boley is the engine of Arizona State's passing offense, Omarion Miller is one of its most important weapons.
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The former Colorado receiver has caught 31 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 10.1 yards per reception.
Miller has also produced four receptions of at least 25 yards, including a season-long 49-yard gain.
At 6-2 and 215 pounds, Miller possesses the size to challenge defensive backs and the explosiveness to punish coverage mistakes.
Perhaps most concerning for Texas Tech is his early-game production.
Miller has accumulated 287 of his 312 receiving yards before halftime.
That makes him a priority for a Red Raiders defense that has sometimes needed second-half adjustments to take control.
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Texas Tech cannot afford to let Miller establish momentum early.
Kyson Brown | Running Back
Senior running back Kyson Brown provides Arizona State with a potentially dangerous rushing threat.
Through five games, Brown has carried 55 times for 290 yards and one touchdown, averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per attempt.
He's also contributed eight receptions for 39 yards.
Brown rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown against Morgan State and followed with 66 yards against Texas A&M.
His most demanding workload came against Kansas, when he carried 24 times for 81 yards in a 24-17 Arizona State victory.
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Brown's ability to produce yards between the tackles makes him important to an offense that needs balance to protect Boley.
For Texas Tech, containing Brown on early downs will be critical.
The Red Raiders enter Saturday riding an 11-game home winning streak and boasting a defense that has forced ten turnovers this season.
But Arizona State already proved last year that it can spoil an undefeated Texas Tech season.
If the Red Raiders pressure Boley, prevent Miller from producing explosive receptions and keep Brown from establishing the running game, they'll put themselves in excellent position to extend their winning streak.
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The formula is straightforward.
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Make Arizona State one-dimensional, force turnovers and let the Texas Tech defense take control.
For a program chasing another Big 12 championship, Saturday represents another opportunity to prove last season's success was no accident.
