What to watch: No. 11 UCLA at No. 15 Arizona State

UCLA starts Pac-12 play tonight at 7 p.m. with one of the most high-profile college football games of the week. No. 15 Arizona State doesn’t have starting quarterback Taylor Kelly, but remains the defending division champion.

Here’s are a few things to watch:

UCLA offense vs. Arizona State defense:

A lot obviously hinges on whether or not Brett Hundley plays after injuring his left elbow on Sept. 13, but it’s a good bet that the star quarterback suits up after practicing with a protective brace over the past week. UCLA’s coaching staff has insisted that the playbook doesn’t change with backup Jerry Neuheisel, but Hundley stretches the field with his arm and legs in a way that Neuheisel can’t.

Assuming Hundley goes, UCLA’s offense could be the first team that truly exposes an ASU defense that lost nine starters from its Pac-12 South-winning unit. The Sun Devils are still forcing takeaways — No. 7 nationally in turnover margin (1.67) — they’ve given up big plays despite a lackluster early schedule. ASU allows 5.41 yards per play, good for 74th in college football but a mark that looks far worse when you consider that it has faced an FCS team (Weber State), a below-average Mountain West team (New Mexico) and arguably the worst team in the Pac-12 (Colorado). Those latter rank just 82nd and 89th in the country in scoring, respectively, at 28.3 and 25.8 points per game.

So if Hundley avoids interceptions against a decent secondary, he should do enough to break open the game. He has a reliable No. 1 tailback next to him now in Paul Perkins — who’s coming off a career game with 195 all-purpose yards against Texas — and an offensive line that seems to be gelling more with each passing game.

If Neuheisel has to enter the game at any point, the matchup becomes a little more dicey. The redshirt sophomore perfectly fits the game-manager mold, and came through with a 33-yard game-winning touchdown against the Longhorns, but isn’t the dynamic threat that would scare a defense that has a full game’s worth of film on him.

Edge: UCLA

UCLA defense vs. Arizona State offense:

Myles Jack didn’t play linebacker against the Sun Devils last year, a tactical decision that Jim Mora still regards as one of his biggest regrets. Having him in this time on defense will be crucial against an Arizona State squad that has D.J. Foster — who could end up being an All-Pac-12 tailback at the end of the season.

Foster was a highly-sought UCLA recruit back in 2012, and UCLA’s coaches and players were happy to talk him up over the past week. He’s become a very effective runner and can grind out yards after contact, but is also a dangerous threat as a pass catcher. The Bruins are familiar with him too: two years ago, he had 168 all-purpose yards as a true freshman in ASU’s losing effort.

Losing All-Pac-12 quarterback Taylor Kelly (foot) does take a healthy chunk out of Arizona State’s prolific offense. Backup Mike Bercovici is well-versed in the Sun Devils’ offensive scheme after previously being regarded as Brock Osweiler’s successor, but isn’t as much of a threat in zone-read situations.

Look to see if UCLA’s defense finally decides to unleash a little more pressure. It has proven itself to be an effective run-stuffing team, and has made do interior rushes and outside pressure from linebacker Deon Hollins and defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa. But so far this season, the Bruins have been hesitant to blitz, leaning on a defensive line anchored by star nose tackle Kenny Clark.

The secondary hasn’t lived up to lofty preseason expectations after returning four starters, and now is without junior safety Randall Goforth. Facing all-conference wideout Jaelen Strong, the defensive backfield could use a signature performance, particularly from cornerback Fabian Moreau.

Edge: UCLA

Special teams:

The Bruins are still elite in punt and kick return coverage, and have a stud return man in cornerback Ishmael Adams. Arizona State could present a chance for Adams to get the first special teams touchdown of his career. The Sun Devils rank 120th in opposing punt returns, giving up an average of 18.33 yards, although they’re better at covering kick returns (44th, 19.00 yards). ASU might just elect to kick away from Adams completely, particularly if he takes one back for 30 or 40 yards early in the game.

UCLA kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has a lot of history against Arizona State, hitting a last-second game-winner in 2012 and missing two field goal attempts in last year’s 38-33 loss. The junior had a rough start to the season, missing an extra point and field goal against Virginia, but recovered against Texas with a 47-yarder. Given the way this series has gone since conference expansion — three games decided by just eight total points — the Bruins may need Fairbarin in top form.

Edge: UCLA, slightly

Prediction: With quarterback Brett Hundley back in action, the Bruins find enough holes in a young ASU defense to pull through with a big — albeit close — road win to start conference play. UCLA 35, Arizona State 31.