College football: Win over Arizona State would give UCLA conference clout Whichever team wins Saturday's game in Tempe, UCLA or Arizona State, instantly becomes the top challenger to USC in the Pac-12 South Division. Both teams still have the Trojans left on their schedules. Times staff writer Chris Foster examines the game's matchups and story lines: The Hangover Arizona State lost to second-ranked Oregon, 43-21, on Oct. 18. The final score hides how severe a thumping the Ducks delivered. Meanwhile, UCLA had last week off to ponder a listless 21-14 victory over Utah. Both teams have easily identifiable issues. Oregon rolled up 406 yards rushing, 329 while building a 43-7 halftime lead. The Sun Devils dropped from 38th to 74th nationally against the run. The Bruins have lacked the lethal pizazz they showed early in the season. UCLA churned out a respectable 171 yards on the ground against Utah, but it took 47 carries - that's an average of just 3.6 yards per carry. The issues are complicated for UCLA. The Bruins have struggled with pass protection and have often used backs to help block. When they do that, it takes away some of the laterals that put running back Johnathan Franklin one-on-one with linebackers. It's a simple answer from Arizona State, or so the Sun Devils hope. Oregon has been trampling everyone. Jeopardy category: road tests The answer: Tennessee, 2009. The question: When was the last time UCLA won a road game against a team that finished the season with a winning record? The Bruins had a record of 9-29 on the road from 2006 to 2011. They started 2-0 away from home this season, but victories over Rice and Colorado produced shrugs. Then came a loss at California. UCLA Coach Jim Mora said he wants to see the Bruins respond to that poor performance. "I want to make sure this team can handle any environment," Mora said, "Without making the focus the environment." The last time the Bruins played at Arizona State, they jumped to a 17-0 lead but ended up getting clobbered, 55-34. UCLA has lost five of its last six games in Tempe. Sacked by Oregon The Sun Devils are second in the nation in sacks. They are first in tackles for a loss. But two important players in that success were injured against Oregon. Defensive tackle Will Sutton, who is third nationally in sacks, suffered a bruised bone in his right knee. Defensive end Junior Onyeali left the game with a shoulder injury. They have 11.5 of Arizona State's 28 sacks. Sutton is doubtful for the game. Onyeali will try to play.