Sun Bowl: Sun Devils v. Blue Devils

[Absolute Zero]

I am predicting that the Devils will win on Dec. 27!

Should be a great game, two fairly evenly matched 9-3 teams
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=400610211

Let's hope we show up better than we did for the Holiday Bowl last year.

 

[Dback Jon]

Sun Devils by 10

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Should be a hell of a game, no?

 

[HooverDam]

Hopefully we don't see a repeat of last years bowl debacle. ASU should be able to handle Duke, but the way the Devils have played recently, who knows.

My soon to be brother in law went to Duke, he's not much of a sports fan but I'm trying to convince him to make the trip with me as some kind of bonding-quest....doubt it happens.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Should be a hell of a game, no?

 

[Absolute Zero]

Didn't Duke start to make some noise football wise last year? Seems like they are turning into a respectable football program. Not to be taken lightly at all.

 

[Mainstreet]

Didn't Duke start to make some noise football wise last year? Seems like they are turning into a respectable football program. Not to be taken lightly at all.

The Blue Devils played a decent schedule. It would be unwise for the Sun Devils to give less than a "A" type effort.

 

[Zeno]

The bad part of this bowl game is that it takes place in El Paso...what a dump! I went there for the Sun Bowl against Purdue (2005?), it was a good game but man El Paso, ugh.

 

[ajcardfan]

It's the kind of bowl opponent where if ASU wins, it's not a big deal because it's "only Duke". If they lose, it's considered an embarrassment.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The bad part of this bowl game is that it takes place in El Paso...what a dump! I went there for the Sun Bowl against Purdue (2005?), it was a good game but man El Paso, ugh.

Graham is thrilled about the game being played in Texas. His recruiting focus is still bigtime on the state of Texas and he see's this as a great opportunity to advertise his program. 'Course, a loss to Duke could be counterproductive...

 

[Zeno]

Graham is thrilled about the game being played in Texas. His recruiting focus is still bigtime on the state of Texas and he see's this as a great opportunity to advertise his program. 'Course, a loss to Duke could be counterproductive...

Yeah but the powerhouses are in Dallas, Houston, Austin area for the most part (Odessa-Midland for small town). El Paso is closer to Phx than it is to Dallas.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yeah but the powerhouses are in Dallas, Houston, Austin area for the most part (Odessa-Midland for small town). El Paso is closer to Phx than it is to Dallas.

I'll see if I can find it, but I read a quote from Graham before this announcement was made, where he said he was hoping bigtime for the Sun Bowl as he believed the other option would've been the Holiday Bowl and he wants to be in Texas way more than SoCal...

He's from the state and clearly still has connections throughout Texas. I can understand his logic and his desire to penetrate the state more than ASU has ever done in the past... He just needs to ensure they put on a good and WIN.

 

[Zeno]

I'll see if I can find it, but I read a quote from Graham before this announcement was made, where he said he was hoping bigtime for the Sun Bowl as he believed the other option would've been the Holiday Bowl and he wants to be in Texas way more than SoCal...

He's from the state and clearly still has connections throughout Texas. I can understand his logic and his desire to penetrate the state more than ASU has ever done in the past... He just needs to ensure they put on a good and WIN.

I seriously have to question his logic, it would be like thinking going to a bowl game in San Jose meant you would have an impact recruiting in southern California. El Paso is not the hot bed for Texas recruits...if we were in the Cotton Bowl, Texas Bowl or Alamo Bowl it would make more sense.

I am glad it is a bowl game against a decent opponent, I just think El Paso sucks.

 

[HooverDam]

I'll see if I can find it, but I read a quote from Graham before this announcement was made, where he said he was hoping bigtime for the Sun Bowl as he believed the other option would've been the Holiday Bowl and he wants to be in Texas way more than SoCal...

He's from the state and clearly still has connections throughout Texas. I can understand his logic and his desire to penetrate the state more than ASU has ever done in the past... He just needs to ensure they put on a good and WIN.

That A. sounds like spin and B. is a dumb strategy if true.

It's fine to recruit Texas, but for ASU to be successful recruiting priorities 1 and 2 need to be AZ and SoCal. The Big 12 and SEC are already entrenched in Texas, not a lot of kids are going to pick ASU over LSU, UT, TAMU, OU, etc. Grab a few gems if you can, but get AZ actually locked down first, then go hunting in the Inland Empire of CA.

 

[82CardsGrad]

That A. sounds like spin and B. is a dumb strategy if true.

It's fine to recruit Texas, but for ASU to be successful recruiting priorities 1 and 2 need to be AZ and SoCal. The Big 12 and SEC are already entrenched in Texas, not a lot of kids are going to pick ASU over LSU, UT, TAMU, OU, etc. Grab a few gems if you can, but get AZ actually locked down first, then go hunting in the Inland Empire of CA.

With UofA on the upswing, I don't think it's practical to expect ASU to "lock down" Arizona... Though, they remain in serious consideration for Christian Kirk!

 

[ozzfloyd]

With UofA on the upswing, I don't think it's practical to expect ASU to "lock down" Arizona... Though, they remain in serious consideration for Christian Kirk!

ASU is getting Kirk Cameron?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

ASU is getting Kirk Cameron?

 

[82CardsGrad]

ASU is getting Kirk Cameron?

LOL...

 

[Absolute Zero]

With UofA on the upswing, I don't think it's practical to expect ASU to "lock down" Arizona... Though, they remain in serious consideration for Christian Kirk!

With the quarterbacks we have lined up, including Berco, 4* Brady White, Bryce Perkins, Manny Wilkins..., I think Kirk would be very wise to stay home and go to ASU.

 

[82CardsGrad]

With the quarterbacks we have lined up, including Berco, 4* Brady White, Bryce Perkins, Manny Wilkins..., I think Kirk would be very wise to stay home and go to ASU.

Totally agree. However, I thought Texas A&M was on the top of his list?

 

[HooverDam]

With UofA on the upswing, I don't think it's practical to expect ASU to "lock down" Arizona... Though, they remain in serious consideration for Christian Kirk!

It may not be practical, but it ought to be the goal. Who knows how long RichRod will be around anyhow.

ASU should get the majority of the top players from north of the Gila River if they want to be a top program. Under Koetter and Erickson I believe ASU got something like 25% of those guys. It needs to be 50%+ if it wants to have sustainable success in my estimation, especially as AZ continues to pump out more football talent.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Totally agree. However, I thought Texas A&M was on the top of his list?

Not sure, this shows ASU and Auburn at the top of the list, but with A&M as the highest percentage.

http://247sports.com/Player/Christian-Kirk-17309

He's pretty close to DJ Foster I understand.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[HooverDam]

Not sure, this shows ASU and Auburn at the top of the list, but with A&M as the highest percentage.

http://247sports.com/Player/Christian-Kirk-17309

He's pretty close to DJ Foster I understand.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Aubrun's OC is apparently a candidate for the Tulsa HC job, so that may help eliminate another option as well.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

With the quarterbacks we have lined up, including Berco, 4* Brady White, Bryce Perkins, Manny Wilkins..., I think Kirk would be very wise to stay home and go to ASU.

Not like A&M and Auburn don't have loads of talent at QB also.

That being said he's a Saguaro kid so I would expect him to end up at ASU.

It may not be practical, but it ought to be the goal. Who knows how long RichRod will be around anyhow.

ASU should get the majority of the top players from north of the Gila River if they want to be a top program. Under Koetter and Erickson I believe ASU got something like 25% of those guys. It needs to be 50%+ if it wants to have sustainable success in my estimation, especially as AZ continues to pump out more football talent.

Same could be said for Graham who hasn't been long for any job in his career either. Both Graham and RichRod are career mercenaries which both fan bases conveniently forget about.

Arizona will always get their share of Phoenix kids. Some people want to go away for school. It will always be that way, Tucson offers metro Phoenicians the ability to stay close to him while creating distance from home influences both good and bad.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Sounds like ASU is still pretty beat up.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...sun-devils-say-plenty-play-sun-bowl/20331503/
Moekeola, Strong, Simone, Nick Kelly, all lookin a bit shaky for the Sun Bowl