So who wants to go to the Rose Bowl?
2013 Pac-12 Championship: Stanford vs. Arizona State TV time, preview and more
The Sun Devils and Cardinal battle for a shot to go to Pasadena. Stanford won earlier in the year, but this time the game will be played in Tempe.
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
After Arizona State knocked off Arizona last weekend, the Sun Devils secured home field for the 2013 Pac-12 Championship Game (7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN) against Stanford. These two teams met earlier in the year in Palo Alto, with Stanford winning, 42-28. The Cardinal actually led 29-0 at halftime and took a 39-7 edge into the fourth quarter, though ASU added on a couple of touchdowns in garbage time to make things look a bit closer.
With this weekend’s title game set to shift to Sun Devil Stadium, we should be in for a much closer game throughout. Arizona State went undefeated at home this year, while both of Stanford’s losses came on the road.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Stanford comes in ranked 7th in the BCS, 7th in the AP Poll and 10th in the Coaches Poll. ASU is now No. 11 in the BCS and AP Poll, as well as 13th in the Coaches Poll. Both teams are 10-2 this season, though the Sun Devils’ win over Wisconsin was highly controversial. That game didn’t have any effect on the the Pac-12 race, though it’s still worth mentioning that ASU could easily have another loss on its résumé.
Vegas: Arizona State is a three-point favorite.
Weather: It’ll be a chilly night for football in the desert with temperatures in the upper-40s at kickoff.
Three names to know
D.J. Foster -- Do-it-all tailback Marion Grice is not expected to play with an ankle injury, but if last week was any indication, the Sun Devils should be just fine with Foster. The sophomore gashed Arizona for 124 yards and two touchdowns last week, doubling his touchdown total for the year.
Will Sutton -- Sutton is one of the better defensive linemen on the West Coast, and he will really have to play well against Stanford's bulky offensive line. The Cardinal will run the football early and often, and it could be a long day for ASU if Sutton is unable to get a push in the trenches.
Tyler Gaffney -- One of the more underrated running backs in the country, Gaffney has gashed opposing defenses for 1,485 yards and 17 touchdowns on 284 carries. He ran the ball for 87 yards and reached the end zone twice against the Devils when they met earlier in the year.
Two things at stake
The winner is going to the Rose Bowl. The loser is likely going to the Holiday Bowl, though the Alamo Bowl could also be in play.
How to witness
TV: 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe are on the call.
Radio: ASU radio affiliates | KNBR AM 1050 is the flagship station for Stanford football.
Further reading
For more on this game, be sure to check out House of Sparky, Rule of Tree and Pacific Takes.
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