College football bowl predictions: Las Vegas Bowl still within Arizona State’s reach
Nov 24, 2016, 11:00 AM | Updated: Dec 9, 2016, 12:08 pm
Arizona State's Manny Wilkins, left, runs past Northern Arizona's Jake Thomas (44) and Lorenzo Melvin (54) for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona State Sun Devils have lost five in a row heading into the Territorial Cup, but the 5-1 start to the year puts them in a favorable spot to still make a bowl game.
Most likely, Todd Graham’s crew didn’t think it’d come down to winning the last game of the year Friday against the rival Arizona Wildcats in Tucson.
Not to fear, Sun Devil fans, because ASU is still favored. Arizona’s losing skid is three games longer, after all — though odds-makers have the Sun Devils as only a three-point favorite as of Thanksgiving eve.
Heading into the Territorial Cup, Arizona State is still in a solid position to head to a bowl game, and even with a loss, there are enough bowl slots for a five-win team to earn an invite. Winning Friday, of course, takes the guessing out of the equation.
Here’s a peek at the bowl predictions for the Sun Devils heading into the showdown with the Wildcats. Hint, hint: Those ASU fans who like Sin City might want to book their trips should their squad close its regular season with a win.
• ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Brent McMurphy
Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas) vs. San Diego State (Schlabach)/Boise State (McMurphy)
Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas) vs. Pittsburgh
Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas) vs. Boise State
Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas) vs. San Diego State
• Sports Illustrated’s Colin Becht
Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas) vs. Wake Forest
• Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan
Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas) vs. San Diego State
Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas) vs. Boise State
