Line: Boise State by 14.
Series record: Second meeting. Arizona State beat Boise State 56-7 in Tempe, Ariz., in 1996.
What’s at stake: Boise State is hoping to show college football fans that the Bowl Championship Series made a mistake by not including the Broncos in a top-tier bowl. The game will also serve as a send-off for Boise State star Kellen Moore, the winningest quarterback in NCAA history. Moore broke Colt McCoy’s career record this season in Las Vegas against UNLV. Arizona State, having lost four straight games, is looking to salvage its last game behind lame-duck coach Dennis Erickson, who was let go after another season in which the Sun Devils didn’t live up to big expectations.
Key matchup: Arizona State’s defense vs. Moore, wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker and the Boise State passing game. The Sun Devils essentially have matched Boise State in yards passing, but Arizona State’s defense allowed nearly 1,000 more yards passing yards than the Broncos’ defense this year. To keep things close, Arizona State likely will have to prevent Moore — the Mountain West’s offensive player of the year — from having another huge game in his finale.
Players to watch: Boise State — Moore, who has completed more than 74 percent of his passes this year. He has thrown for 3,507 yards and 41 touchdowns and tossed only seven interceptions. His primary weapon, Shoemaker, has 959 yards and 15 touchdowns. Defensive end Tyrone Crawford has 6.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss. Arizona State — Wide receiver Gerell Robinson is averaging a whopping 18.1 yards per catch. He is tied for the team lead with six TD catches. Running back Cameron Marshall has rushed for 18 touchdowns and 1,038 yards. Star linebacker Vontaze Burfict has five sacks, but has been in the coaching staff’s doghouse lately.
The Associated Press
