ASU Football: Defense prepared for whatever Washington and the weather throw their way

While the Sun Devils have dealt with their fair share of uncertainty over the past three weeks at the quarterback position, Washington is doing the same this week. Huskies sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles is day to day after he left last week's game against Oregon with a concussion. Redshirt freshman Troy Williams has been taking the first team reps at quarterback for Washington this week.

The Huskies, as any college football program would, are keeping tight lipped about their situation. But Arizona State is ready for anything according to head coach Todd Graham.

"This is a challenge going on the road to Washington to play a very very well-coached football team," Graham said. "I believe that their quarterback will play. What I do is prepare for the best, and then if it's not, then good for us."

Washington can be a big play threat downfield, and with their new head coach Chris Petersen's innovative schemes, the Sun Devils have to be ready for anything. Graham knows this too.

"That's one of the big challenges this week is the read-zone, is the quarterback extending plays and their ability to make big plays with him--receivers, receiver screen, reverses, vertical passes--it's all about the explosives this week and no cheap ones," Graham said.

The weather

The conditions Saturday night at Husky Stadium could get nasty, in fact downright miserable. The forecast is calling for a low of 51 degrees and a 90 percent chance of rain around kickoff time. When asked whether or not the potentially slick conditions would effect how the Sun Devils use Taylor Kelly, Graham wasn't aware it was supposed to rain at all.

"Wow, well we might not even get on the plane," Graham said jokingly. "I've never seen rain or it has been awhile since I've seen it, but It won't effect us at all. No one in my building ever says anything about the weather, a guy did one time and he had to go get counseling."

Although Graham took a light-hearted approach to it, the rain could obviously effect ball security and potentially how the Sun Devils approach what they do offensively. Graham preaches 100 percent ball security every day and doesn't like excuses either, so  the Arizona State towel boys will have their hands full trying to keep the balls dry.

"I hope it does rain, it'll be nice and cool," Graham said. "All I checked on--I did do this I'm not going to lie--I checked on what the temperature was going to be and they said between 52 and 57, that's pretty nice."

Notes

• Laiu Moeakiola is still in a green jersey.
• The conversation about Taylor Kelly and Mike Bercovici hasn't changed since Tuesday. The plan is still for Kelly to start. Thursday, Graham said Kelly would get a "majority of the snaps" with Bercovici getting used in certain situations. "My job is to put the best guy on the field and Taylor is the best guy," Graham said.