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Utah may not have beaten Arizona State since 1976, but beyond the fact that defensive coordinator John Pease was a linebackers coach for the Utes when the Sun Devils began their 11-game streak in 1977, there's little about that year's contest that will be relevant Saturday.
Limit your analysis instead to the Todd Graham era, since 2012, and there are a few recurring themes.
1. Utah hasn't passed the ball well.
2. Utah hasn't run the ball well.
3. Utah hasn't gotten first downs.
The even more abridged Cliff's Notes: Utah hasn't played good offense.
Much has been made of quarterback Travis Wilson's struggles against ASU — combining for 178 yards in consecutive narrow losses — but that's only part of the story.
In going 0-3 against Graham, the Utes have never totaled more than 247 yards — either a season-low or second-lowest each year.
At an average of 134 yards rushing, they've run the ball better than they've passed it, but they've still averaged a shade under 3 yards per carry.
And while ASU's vaunted pressure has resulted in just four total turnovers and a not-great, not-astronomical 3.67 sacks per game, Utah simply hasn't been able to move the sticks against it, trailing ASU 64-35 in first downs.
This year's Sun Devil defense is described much like those were in 2012-14: explosive and relentless.
Led by senior safety Jordan Simone and junior linebacker Salamo Fiso, who have 16.5 tackles for loss between them, ASU averages 3.2 sacks and 9.3 tackles behind their opponent's line of scrimmage.
Graham said the improvement on Utah's offensive line this year has rendered it almost unrecognizable — conceding just two sacks all season and just five tackles for loss per game. But ASU will be an extreme test. More than 37 percent of plays have ended with no gain or a loss of yards against Graham's defense this season.
What might be Utah's most similar opponent, Utah State, held the Utes to a season-low 327 yards and left Kyle Whittingham somewhat frustrated.
Utah right tackle J.J. Dielman estimated this week that ASU blitzes 70 percent of the time, and he's probably not far off. Last year, ESPN pegged it at 60 percent — 31 percent higher than the FBS average.
If running back Devontae Booker and tight end Siale Fakailoatonga are required to account for ASU pass-rushers, that's going to put more pressure on Utah's wideouts to create early separation and get yards after contact.
While ASU boasts six receivers with 200 yards or more, Utah has none. Booker leads the Utes in receiving, with 194 yards, and Fakailoatonga is fourth, in 109, so two of Utah's top targets might be tied up staving off linebackers.
Both teams that solved Graham's defense this year did so with speed downfield: Texas A&M's Christian Kirk had 106 yards and one touchdown in the Aggies' 38-17 victory, and USC's Adoree Jackson went 131 yards on just three receptions as the Trojans rolled 42-14.
After last year's loss in Tempe, Whittingham said he wished his offense had taken more shots.
"I still feel the same way," he said Monday. "We should have thrown the football more in that game, and we'll have to see how this game unfolds and what kind of gameplan they have."
Graham, likewise, said during Tuesday's teleconference that he was most concerned with limiting big plays from Utah's offense.
Don't be surprised to see Utah cornerback Cory Butler-Byrd, who caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Wilson against Cal, play a few more snaps this week.
One of the fastest and most agile Utes, he acknowledged this week that he expects his offensive role to grow.
"You never know, I might be a full-time receiver by the end of the year."
Really? a reporter asked.
"Nah, just playing," he laughed.
Against Arizona State, at least, that's not such a wild notion.
Kyle Goon contributed reporting.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
Arizona State at No. 4 Utah
P Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV • ESPN