16th Ranked Sun Devils Looking for it’s 11th Win

Photo Courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics

By Francisco Romero

After suffering their worst defeat in three years against Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game (38-14), Arizona State is looking to finish the season with 11 wins.  The loss to Stanford prevented the Sun Devils from playing in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1996.  Instead ASU will face The Red Raiders of Texas Tech in the National University Holiday Bowl in San Diego December 30 at 7:15 PT.

The Sun Devils enter the game as a 13 point favorite against a Texas Tech team that has lost 5 games in a row.  The Red Raiders started the season 7-0 but failed to win again towards the end of the season.  In addition to losing 5 straight there seems to be trouble on the offensive side for Texas Tech, Freshmen quarterback Baker Mayfield has announced he will transfer to another school next year and he will not be allowed to play the bowl game. 

Although the game has to be decided on the field the elements surrounding the match up seem the favor the Sun Devils.  ASU is expected to have running back Marion Grice ready to play.  Grice averaged 5.2 carries per game this season and finished with 14 touchdowns, but did not play the last two games of the season due to a leg injury.  The Sun Devils played on the toughest schedules in the country and beat 7 teams who will be playing in bowl games including USC, Wisconsin, UCLA, Arizona, Washington and Oregon State. 

Even with its quarterback controversy Texas Tech will rely on Junior All American tight end Jace Amaro to provide the spark needed to compete against ASU.  Amaro finished the regular season with 98 receptions and 1,240 receiving yards. Either Davis Webb or Michael Brewer will start at quarterback for the Red Raiders.