The West Virginia Mountaineers and the Arizona State Sun Devils have shared the field just once in history. Underwhelming seasons from both schools, however, have brought them together again, this time in Phoenix, where the Mountaineers and the Sun Devils look to win the 27th annual Cactus Bowl.
For more bowl game previews, you check out our breakdown of Michigan State vs. Alabama and Oklahoma vs. Clemson.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Cactus Bowl Preview
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
When: Saturday, January 2, 10:15 AM ET
Line: West Virginia Mountaineers (-1) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (+1); total: 64.0 – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers (7-5, 4-5 Big 12)
[sc:NCAA240banner ]When the going got tough, the Mountaineers wilted. That was the story of the year for Dana Holgorsen’s team, which finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record, but just 0-4 against ranked opponents.
The Mountaineers are heading to Phoenix following a gut-wrenching 24-23 loss to underdog Kansas State on December 5, and they are looking to vent their collective frustrations on Arizona State. Their outlet will likely come in the form of a run heavy offense, which has been the team’s biggest strength. West Virginia is adept at running the ball, averaging 235.3 rushing yards per game (16th in the nation). The Mountaineers will look to drill through Arizona State’s run defense with Wendell Smallwood getting most of the touches.
Smallwood finished the regular season with 1,447 rushing yards (second in the Big12) and nine touchdowns. One big reason clue why a high-volume game is important for West Virginia: the Mountaineers are 6-2 on the season when they have at least 45 rushing attempts.
Containing Arizona State’s potent offense is of another story. The Mountaineers, however, have looked capable in making stops at times, and are second in the Big 12 in total defense with 386.2 total yards surrendered per contest.
West Virginia is 3-1 ATS in its last four games overall.
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Betting on the Arizona State Sun Devils (6-6, 4-5 Big 12)
Arizona State had visions of representing the Pac-12 in a much bigger bowl game, but an inconsistent season relegated the Sun Devils to the Cactus Bowl. If it makes them feel any better, the Sun Devils are going bowling in front of a partisan crowd given the location of the game.
Playing in their home away from home that is Chase Field in Phoenix, the Sun Devils will lean on their stout front seven to defuse whatever it is West Virginia is going to plant on offense.
As mentioned, the Mountaineers are likely planning to run the ball often, but they might just end up getting frustrated by the Sun Devils’ defense that ranks second in the Pac-12 against the run (124.42 rushing yards allowed per game) and second in the nation in tackles for loss (101).
For the Sun Devils, they’d rather see Skyler Howard take over West Virginia’s offense. Howard has been shaky all season long, passing for over 2,500 yards with 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. However, the Sun Devils’ punching bag secondary will have to muster a much better performance, as they’re last in the nation in pass defense.
Mike Bercovici, meanwhile, will try to dizzy West Virginia’s defense by trying to connect with his slew of weapons down field. The Sun Devils have three players with 50 receptions or more on the season, led by Devin Lucien, who tops the team with 930 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 57 receptions.
Arizona State is 3-0 ATS in its past three games.
Writer’s Prediction
West Virginia wins, 38-35.
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