California vs. Arizona State Football: What To Watch for in Game Against Cal

The Arizona State Sun Devils could still find themselves in the Pac-12 Championship Game with a win over the California Golden Bears. Pending a UCLA Bruins loss and a Utah Utes win, the Sun Devils first have to win this game at home in order to put themselves in position to do so.

The Sun Devils are riding a three-game losing streak. Those losses came at the hands of the UCLA Bruins, Washington State Cougars and Arizona Wildcats. While the Sun Devils tripped up these last few games, they cannot risk falling Friday night at home.

Here is what to watch for when the Sun Devils host the Golden Bears Friday night.

Will the Sun Devils Figure out Their Passing Game?

Against the Arizona Wildcats last week, the Arizona State Sun Devils starting quarterback Brock Osweiler threw for 487 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. While the yardage was great, the interceptions and lack of scoring drives were signs of the Sun Devils regressing.

The Sun Devils will need Osweiler to light things up against the Golden Bears—otherwise they may struggle. While running back Cameron Marshall is a dangerous threat, he has been extremely hit-or-miss over the last few weeks.

This game is huge for the Sun Devils passing game. If Arizona State wants to get into the Pac-12 Championship Game, this game will be key for them to get their passing game back in the right direction and hopefully set them up to upset their opponent in the championship game.

Can the Sun Devils Secondary Stop Keenan Allen?

Although Cal's wide receiver Keenan Allen has been contained as of late, he could easily go off against the Sun Devils' horrid secondary.

Allen started out the season with over 100 yards in receiving in five of the Golden Bears' first six games. Since then, Allen has dropped off. Even though 80-plus yards a game is good, Allen certainly has been slowed since putting up 197, 170 and 160 yards in three straight games.

The Sun Devils have not been able to stop the passing game as of late, allowing eight passing touchdowns in their last three games. Allen will be tough to stop, but if he is slowed, then the Sun Devils will be in a better position to win this game.

Will Cameron Marshall Get out of His Funk?

Although he has continued to find the end zone, Arizona State running back Cameron Marshall has not been converting the yards.

After rushing for 114 yards with three touchdowns against Colorado and 168 yards with a score against the UCLA Bruins, Marshall hasn't been able to surpass 50 yards in his last two games.

Without Marshall helping the Sun Devils move the ball, they become extremely one-dimensional. That will continue to hurt the Sun Devils if they cannot convert the yards on the ground.

Last week, Cal held Stanford's Stepfan Taylor to only 45 yards on 17 carries. That doesn't make things seem any easier for Marshall, but when he plays his best, there is no doubt that he is elite.

Can the Sun Devils Slow Down Isi Sofele?

The Sun Devils will have their hands full in trying to stop Cal's stud running back Isi Sofele. On the season, Sofele is averaging 101 yards a game. While that isn't an overwhelming average, Sofele has shown the ability to break away for huge yardage.

Two weeks ago, he ran for 190 yards on 23 carries against the Oregon State Beavers. Sofele can do that against the Sun Devils, as they have been letting up huge yardage to elusive running backs all season.

Sofele isn't alone, as running back C.J. Anderson can also go off when he is given the chance. The Cal running game is very dangerous, especially if the Sun Devils' lack of rush defense continues.

Will This Be Dennis Erickson's Last Game Coaching in Tempe?

Sun Devils head coach Dennis Erickson has been under extreme scrutiny for many years. With high hopes this season and many poor losses that should have been wins, many believe the coach's time is nearing an end.

The Sun Devils started out the year going 5-1, but a recent 1-4 stretch has put the Sun Devils out of position, turning what could have been an incredible year into one that is just a mess.

If the Sun Devils lose tonight to the Bears, there is no doubt that Erickson is likely gone. He may even be dismissed before the Sun Devils' bowl game, though that is extremely unlikely.

Still, win or lose, this may be the last game that Erickson will coach in Sun Devil Stadium as the head coach of Arizona State.