This year’s recipient of the closest thing to a bowl home game could be Arizona State, which will drive 20 minutes down Interstate 10 to Phoenix’s Chase Field to play in the Cactus Bowl against West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN and streaming service through WatchESPN.
Watch the West Virginia vs. Arizona State Cactus Bowl online: Time, TV schedule, live stream and 3 things to know
The Mountaineers and Sun Devils tangle in the desert. Here’s how to watch it.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Sun Devils are trying to find a positive finish to an otherwise underwhelming campaign. Arizona State started the season ranked in the top 20 and looking for a potential Pac-12 title, but an early loss to Texas A&M popped the bubble of hype. A three-game losing streak in late October and early November knocked the Sun Devils out of Pac-12 consideration, but a Territorial Cup trouncing of rival Arizona salvaged something. Quarterback Mike Bercovici has been effective, throwing for 3,442 yards and 26 scores. UCLA transfer Devin Lucien found a home in Todd Graham's offense, and caught 57 passes for 930 yards this season.
West Virginia looked like a potential Big 12 contender after a 45-6 win over Maryland, but a brutal October featuring four consecutive games against ranked opponents dropped the Mountaineers to 3-4 and out of the title picture. Dana Holgorsen’s team rebounded with November wins over the bottom half of the conference, but a surprising season-ending loss to Kansas State knocked the Mountaineers down the bowl pecking order.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Jan. 2, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: West Virginia and Arizona State affiliates are available.
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: West Virginia is favored by a point.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at The Smoking Musket (for West Virginia fans) and House of Sparky (for Arizona State fans).
Three big things to know
Road games: Arizona State is playing in its proverbial backyard; the Sun Devils’ campus is just ten miles from Chase Field, where the Cactus Bowl is being played. That does not bode well for the Mountaineers, whose only road win this season came against hapless Kansas.
Not your father's air raid: Dana Holgorsen is well-known for his pass-happy air raid offense, which he developed under the notoriously run-averse Mike Leach at Texas Tech. But with inconsistency at quarterback and wide receiver this season, Holgo has grounded the air raid. Halfback Wendell Smallwood has run for 1,447 yards and nine scores, with junior Rushel Shell adding another 677 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The upshot: A Dana Holgorsen-coached football team ran for more yards (2,823) than it threw for (2,737) this season. What a time to be alive.
Or maybe your father's air raid after all: Arizona State has given up points by the bushel this season, allowing nearly 33 points per game this season. Surprisingly, the Sun Devils have been strong against the run (just 124 yards per game allowed) and allowed the second-fewest first downs in the Pac-12. But the Arizona State pass defense has been atrocious, letting opponents throw for 322 yards per game. That's not just the worst total in the Pac-12. It's the second-worst total in the nation. West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard has not been good this season, completing only 55 percent of his attempts and throwing a dozen interceptions, but West Virginia might turn him loose regardless.
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