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There won't be another week during the regular season when the Utes have this much film to watch with this much time to prepare.

Theoretically, that's an advantage for No. 13 Utah (7-2, 4-2), which is headed to face Arizona State with a bye week in the rearview — much-needed time to recover for a three-game stretch it likely needs to sweep to win the Pac-12 South.

But even with all the extra time and film sessions, it's hard to know what the Sun Devils are going to look like on Thursday night.

"Coaches tell us time and time again we don't know who is going to be playing, which quarterback is going to start, which backs are going to start," senior defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini said. "We're going to get a lot of different looks."

The uncertainty stems from an injury report that well rivals Utah's own. Arizona State was missing 10 starters in its last loss to Oregon, its third straight. Playing four different quarterbacks this season, ASU's offensive tape from recent weeks is as patchy as a quilt, with not many particular patterns to draw from.

The Arizona Republic reported this week that QB Manny Wilkins was running first-team offensive reps on Sunday, giving hope to ASU that it can return as the team that scored 68 points against Texas Tech rather than the one that scored 16 in a loss to Colorado. Arizona State's running back tandem of DeMario Richard and Kalen Ballage (who tied an NCAA record with seven rushing touchdowns against the Red Raiders earlier this year) has also been, at times, a fierce one. The team could also use the return of its top receiver, Tim White, to become bowl-eligible this week.

Utah is also hoping to get healthy for the game. Coach Kyle Whittingham said he was fairly sure that free safety Marcus Williams and receiver Cory Butler-Byrd will be able to play in Tempe. Tight end Harrison Handley and right tackle Sam Tevi are also hopefuls to return. Healthy for the first time since September, Lo Falemaka could be in the mix to start at center over senior Nick Nowakowski.

"We got some guys rested and some players some down time," Whittingham said. "Injury wise, hopefully we get a few guys back."

There are a few things Utah can count on as they try to get their first win in Tempe since 1976.

The 13th-ranked defense in sacks (27) in the country is likely to blitz on many downs against Utah's offensive line, and challenge the run game's resurgence under senior running back Joe Williams. ASU's habit of bringing pressure on the majority of downs has given it the top rushing defense in the Pac-12 (116 yards per game).

Much of the last month, Utah has leaned heavily on Williams, who has had three straight games of 170 yards or more. The game plan this week may require junior quarterback Troy Williams to make more throws under pressure than he's had to this season.

"That's their M.O., that's how they play defense," Whittingham said. "If you can't handle it, you're gonna struggle. The main thing is for us, whether blocking up the run game or protecting the quarterback, is you've got to handle their pressure."

The Utes are also going forward with caution against a team that several opponents (including Utah last year) have accused of stealing signals for play calls. Tasini said the defense wouldn't make many adjustments, except perhaps to add extra playcards on the sideline to confuse anyone trying to read Utah's calls.

Whittingham stressed that preventing signal stealing falls on the Utes, not that Arizona State shouldn't look for an edge. But Troy Williams said that Utah's offense this year, which has been a procedural huddle attack, shouldn't be vulnerable to that particular aspect of the Sun Devils' game plan.

"We're all huddle, so it'd be pretty hard to steal one of our signals," he said. "We're going to stay with the same routine we've had all season."

Twitter: @kylegoon —

No. 13 Utah at Arizona State

P Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

TV • Fox Sports 1