Utah Utes football: Utah Utes open Pac-12 play at ASU, 8 p.m.

Utah (2-1) at Arizona St. (2-1)

Saturday, 8 p.m.

Sun Devil Stadium

Grass, Tempe, Ariz.

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Radio: 700AM

Weather: 95 degrees, overcast

Matchup

Preview

The stakes

For Utah ... Getting off to a good start in Pac-12 play is of increased importance after USC's loss to Stanford. A win over ASU would also give them a leg up on another South Division rival early in the race.

For Arizona State ... The Sun Devils have the same things on the line as Utah. The added twist, however, is their upcoming schedule — road games at California and Colorado, then a home date with Oregon.

The trends

For Utah ... Utah has won its last two Pac-12 road games, prevailing at Arizona and Washington State last season. ... The Utes won the 2005 Fiesta Bowl over Pittsburgh at Sun Devil Stadium.

For Arizona State ... The Sun Devils blasted the Utes 35-14 last season in Salt Lake City to extend their winning streak in the series to eight games. ... ASU's last loss to Utah was a 31-28 decision at home in 1976.

Player to watch

Jon Hays, Utah: The senior made his first start of the season last week in the victory over BYU. Can he once again lead a turnover-free offense?

Key matchup

Utah's O-line vs. ASU's Will Sutton: The junior defensive tackle is sure to test the Utes' work-in-progress offensive line. Sutton leads all Pac-12 defensive linemen with 22 tackles, including three sacks.

Injury report

Utah: S Eric Rowe (hamstring) and RB John White (ankle) are expected to play after sitting out last week.

Arizona State: LB Carlos Mendoza (shoulder) and CB Rashad Wadood (torn labrum) are out for the season. S Viliami Moeakiola (hamstring) is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. DT Corey Adams (back) has yet to play this year.

Next up

ASU is at California next Saturday. Utah has a bye before hosting USC on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Schedule

Date. . .Opponent. . .Time/result

Aug. 30. . .N. Colorado. . .W, 41-0

Sept. 7. . .at Utah State. . .L, 27-20 (OT)

Sept. 15. . .BYU. . .W, 24-21

Sept. 22. . .at Arizona State. . .8 p.m.

Oct. 4. . .Southern Cal. . .7 p.m.

Oct. 13. . .at UCLA. . .TBA

Oct. 20. . .at Oregon State. . .TBA

Oct. 27. . .California. . .TBA

Nov. 3. . .Washington St.. . .TBA

Nov. 10. . .at Washington. . .TBA

Nov. 17. . .Arizona. . .TBA

Nov. 23. . .at Colorado. . .1 p.m.