USA Today projects Arizona State in Rose Bowl vs. Michigan

Oct 12, 2016, 3:01 PM

Arizona State defensive lineman JoJo Wicker (1) celebrates after making a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)

(AP Photo/Ryan Kang)

BY VINCE MAROTTA

Arizona Sports

The Arizona State Sun Devils have represented their conference in the Rose Bowl twice in their football history, in 1987 and 1997.

Could 2016 be the the third time?

At the midway point of the season, USA Today has projected the Sun Devils to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Jan. 2 against the Michigan Wolverines.

This is due to the projection of Washington to participate in this year’s College Football Playoff as the champion of the Pac-12. The website has the Huskies taking on Alabama in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, one of this year’s College Football Playoff semifinal games.

That would open the door for the Pac-12 runner-up to play in the “Grandaddy of them All”.

Of course, a lot needs to transpire before this can happen. Entering play this weekend, the Sun Devils are one of three Pac-12 South teams with one conference loss. Colorado, whom ASU plays Saturday in Boulder, and Utah are the others. Todd Graham’s team hosts the Utes in Tempe Thursday, Nov. 10.

The Devils were picked to finish fifth in the South Division by Pac-12 media following a disappointing 6-7 campaign in 2015 that ended with a loss to West Virginia in the Cactus Bowl in Phoenix.

Here’s the rest of what USA Today projects for the Pac-12 this postseason:

• Peach Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal): Washington vs. Alabama

• Rose Bowl: Arizona State vs. Michigan

• Alamo Bowl: Utah vs. Oklahoma State

• Holiday Bowl: Washington State vs. Penn State

• Foster Farms Bowl: Stanford vs. Minnesota

• Sun Bowl: USC vs. Miami

• Las Vegas Bowl: UCLA vs. San Diego State

• Cactus Bowl: Colorado vs. Kansas State

• Independence Bowl: California vs. Wake Forest

Follow @Vincemarotta

UCLA head coach Jim Mora shouts at officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Matt Haack, left, gets off a punt as UCLA's Josh Woods (19) arrives late for a block attempt during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Kalen Ballage, right, runs with the ball as UCLA's Adarius Pickett (6) moves in for the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Tim White (12) gets pulled down by UCLA's Marcus Rios (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Brady White (2) looks to pass the ball as UCLA's Takkarist McKinley (98) applies pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA's Austin Roberts (88) makes a catch as he beats Arizona State's Maurice Chandler (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) fakes a handoff to Nate Starks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Brady White (2) recovers his own fumble as UCLA's Keisean Lucier-South (11) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA's Josh Rosen (3) fumbles the ball as Arizona State's JoJo Wicker, middle, and Salamo Fiso (58) moves in to make a recovery during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Kareem Orr (25) signals a missed field goal by UCLA's JJ Molson (17) as UCLA holder Mike Fafaul (12) talks with the kicker during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

An injured UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) limps off the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA's Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State's Brady White (2) gets off a pass as UCLA's Eddie Vanderdoes (47) applies pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham argues with officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA's injured Josh Rosen watches the game from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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