This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Gas cost 59 cents per gallon and a new home cost $48,000. As for the top songs, "Play That Funky Music" and "Love Rollercoaster" owned the charts. The year was 1976, the last time a Utah football team beat Arizona State, scoring a 31-28 win over the Sun Devils in Tempe. Now, 38 years later, the stakes are high and the matchup gigantic as the No. 18 Utes travel to Tempe for a potential Pac-12 South-deciding game against No. 15 ASU. Can the Utes grab another tough road win? Or will the Sun Devils continue a streak nearly four decades old? Here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Saturday's game:

Quarterback

Travis Wilson repaid Kyle Whittingham's faith in him last week with a gutsy performance in Utah's win over USC. Wilson made throws when he had to and set up the game winning touchdown with a courageous 18-yard scramble late in the fourth quarter. His stats weren't eye popping, finishing 18-of-32 for 193 yards and a touchdown, but he was instrumental in leading Utah when it mattered, hitting Kaelin Clay for a one-yard pass after digging deep for a 73-yard drive to win the game. As long as Wilson keeps the Sun Devil defense honest with a few throws while Devontae Booker and the Utah defense does the heavy lifting, the Utes will be in good shape.

On the other side is ASU senior Taylor Kelly, who can beat teams with his arm or legs in the read option game. Kelly was rocked on a late touchdown pass in ASU's win over Washington last week, but looks to be fine for this game. He's still rusty after injuring his foot and missing a few games, but the win on the road at Washington should restore some of his confidence. Kelly was 19-of-31 with 144 yards and a touchdown in the 2013 win over Utah, but hasn't faced a pass rush like Utah's yet this season. The Sun Devils could be in for a long day if they can't stand up to Nate Orchard and Co.

Edge: ASU

Running Back

Devontae Booker looked human last week, fumbling twice and losing one fumble against USC, taking points off the board for Utah. However, he still rolled through a Trojan defensive front featuring future top five NFL draft pick Leonard Williams for 102 yards and a touchdown. ASU's young defense still has issues containing big, physical runners as was the case last week with Washington's Shaq Thompson. Booker could be in for a big day if the Utes offensive line can hold blocks and get to the second level.

D.J. Foster is the opposite of Booker in terms of rushing style. Foster is a slashing, quick runner rather than a bruiser and is often split out wide to make plays in the passing game. He struggled last week on the ground, getting only 36 yards on 13 carries, but added 52 yards on four catches. Foster hasn't had a 100 yard rushing game since Sept. 13 at Colorado, something that will need to change for ASU to win. Demario Richard and Deantre Lewis will also get carries for the Sun Devils.

Edge: Utah

Pass Catchers

Regardless of his disappointing stats this season, the loss of Dres Anderson is huge for the Utes. Anderson caught only three passes for 30 yards against USC before his season ending injury late in the game, but the mere threat of him taking the top off the defense forced secondaries to keep an eye on him rather than in the backfield. Without Anderson, the deep shot duties fall to Clay, while Kenneth Scott, Tim Patrick and Westlee Tonga work the middle of the field and the sidelines. It will be interesting to see how Utah adjusts to the loss of Anderson and what it means to the big play potential of the offense.

There isn't a better physical, strong-handed receiver in the entire nation than Jaelen Strong. Strong is mentioned among the upper echelon of college football receivers this season and for good reason. The junior has at least eight receptions in four of seven games this season, has gone over 140 yards receiving three times and has scored in all but two games. Strong's impact was limited in the Washington game because of high winds in Seattle, but he should get back on track this week. Foster's receiving talent is again worth noting and second leading receiver Cameron Smith, who missed the Huskies game, will be back.

Edge: ASU

Offensive Line

The Utes line held up well once again, keeping Williams in check and surrendering only two sacks while plowing the way for 137 net rushing yards. The Utes are third in the conference with 200 rushing yards per game and are fourth in the Pac-12 in sacks given up with 17. ASU is in the middle of the pack in regard to bringing pressure, but the Sun Devils have been steadily improving and have the potential to put some heat on Wilson.

ASU struggled last week against Washington's physical front seven, surrendering five sacks in the process. Kelly also has the tendency to hold onto the ball in an attempt to make plays with his feet, which could play into Utah's advantage. Overall, the Sun Devils are tied for fifth in the conference with sacks surrendered at 18 and are fifth in rushing offense with 186 yards per game. It's also doubtful that starting left guard Christian Westerman will play, giving Utah an edge in this category.

Edge: Utah

Defensive Line and Linebackers

The Utes defensive line had a "down" week for the team's standards, sacking Cody Kessler only twice against USC. The Utes also had a hard time containing Buck Allen, who had 101 rushing yards on the night. Still, there's no better unit in the nation from a starting and depth standpoint at rushing the passer. Hunter Dimick, Clint Shepard and Lowell Lotuleilei will be key in this game as the interior D-line will look to take advantage of Westerman's absence. If they can harrass Kelly and limit Foster, ASU could be in for a long night.

At the center of ASU's defensive resurgence is Laiu Moeakiola, who has inserted himself in the role that Carl Bradford had last season. Moeakiola was dominant last week against Washington, racking up 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and 10 total tackles. Todd Graham seems to have rallied his troops and found the right combination of talent to steady a young defense, with defensive end Marcus Hardison wreaking havoc and Salamo Fiso, Demetrius Cherry, Antonio Longino and Mo Latu all sticking to their assignments better than the first few weeks. Still, Utah's overall talent gives the Utes a clear edge.

Edge: Utah

Secondary

The Utes struggled to contain Kessler and receiver Nelson Agholor last week, giving up 264 yards and two touchdowns through the air to the USC quarterback and 110 yards on 10 receptions to the junior receiver. Meanwhile, the Utes could be without Tevin Carter again and Eric Rowe may be limited in the game or out entirely after missing some time during the USC game. It will be interesting to see how Utah decides to cover Strong, who is both big and fast. If Rowe can't go, it may be up to some combination of Dominique Hatfield and a safety. The Utes are sixth overall in the Pac-12 in pass defense, giving up 265 yards per game and 15 touchdowns this season.

ASU's secondary has benefitted even more than the defensive front seven after Graham's reshuffling. The Sun Devils are as good as it gets on the back end, surrendering the third fewest yards per game in the conference and the second lowest passing touchdown total. Senior free safety Damarious Randall continues to be the secondary's leader, racking up eight tackles against Washington, while junior Jordan Simone is an emerging star after grabbing an interception and adding 10 tackles of his own against the Huskies. ASU will also have an easier time defending the Utah receivers with Anderson off the field, allowing the Sun Devils to keep pass plays in front of them.

Edge: ASU

Prediction: This is set up to be the best Pac-12 game of the season so far and is about as even as any matchup gets. Both teams are rolling and have clear indentities, with ASU leaning on Kelly's running ability and Strong's hands, while Utah displays a dominant defense and Booker's physical running style. The biggest factor in this game will be if it remains low scoring or if the Sun Devils can grab a couple of early touchdowns. The Utes in Pac-12 road games this season have yet to score a first quarter offensive touchdown and have only three total touchdowns in regulation time, two from Booker and one from Anderson. ASU should be able to score at least once early to put the pressure on Wilson and in the end, the home field advantage will make the difference. The Sun Devils will win this one 31-27.