
TEMPE, Ariz. — Notre Dame tried last year to get out of its home-and-home series with Arizona State. But the Sun Devils refused to budge on giving up its home game. That’s a good thing, too — for both teams.
This Saturday’s game in Tempe sets up as an elimination game for the College Football Playoff. The winner gets to move on with only one loss, while picking up a key late-season boost in strength of schedule. The loser will have two defeats and not much hope, if any, of making the final four.
“It would be silly to think of this as just another game; it definitely isn’t to me,” said ASU coach Todd Graham.
ASU (7-1 overall, 5-1 Pac-12) is ranked 11th in the AP poll. Notre Dame (7-1) is ranked eighth.
“I grew up a football fan and getting an opportunity to a play a team like this late in the year is a big deal,” Graham said. “These are the kinds of games you want to coach in, and our players want to play in, and our fans want to see. I’m looking forward to seeing a packed house and creating a memory.”
The Irish — who tried to cancel the series after it accepted an invite to play a limited schedule each year against ACC foes, cutting down their scheduling flexibility — did indeed give up their 2017 home game vs. Arizona State. The teams met last season in Arlington, with Notre Dame winning 37-34.
This time around the Irish offense is more powerful, with Everett Golson returning this season after missing 2013 because of academic issues.
“The way he extends plays is the main issue,” Graham said. “He is accurate throwing the football and he has a strong arm. He has got a lot of confidence as well. … Obviously we have to stop the run and then we have to make sure we keep him contained. He hurts people a lot on critical downs. He is the key to their whole offense. He is what makes it work. We must do a great job of containing him.”
The ASU defense, which had to replace nine starters from last season, has made big strides, especially in the past three games. But Golson will be the best quarterback the Sun Devils have faced in that span.
“I don’t think guys will be overwhelmed,” Graham said. “I just want them to step up as a unit and I think they will. We are playing better each week.”
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads Arizona State 3-0. The Irish won 37-34 last season in Arlington, Texas. Kyle Brindza kicked the go-ahead 25-yard field goal with 3:03 to go.
NOTES: Starting LG Christian Westerman missed last week’s Arizona State game at Utah with a left knee injury. Coach Todd Graham had said that he expects Westerman to play against Notre Dame. … Arizona State junior DE Demetrius Cherry was suspended for last week’s game against Utah because of a violation of team rules. Cherry had started the previous two games. He is expected back this week. … Notre Dame LB Joe Schmitt is out for the season with a disclocated left ankle. He was injured in the third quarter against Navy last week and is scheduled for surgery this week. … LB James Onwualu passed concussion tests and was expected to be cleared for conditioning and return to Notre Dame’s practice this week.