| INSIGHT
BOWL
Tuesday, December 27th 8:30 PM ET - Bank One
Ballpark - Phoenix, AZ
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
vs. Arizona St. Sun Devils
Arizona St. got the best draw
in this game which is as close to a home game
as possible, Boise St. is an exception, but
that might not be the best thing. While the
Sun Devils should have no problem preparing
without all of the hoopla that goes along
with playing in a bowl game, the players might
not be as pumped as usual. Nevertheless, Arizona
St. will have the stronger fan base and that
will be important. The Sun Devils won three
of their final four games, including a three-point
win over Arizona, to become bowl eligible.
Rutgers is in a bowl game for
the first time since 1978 which just so happened
to be played against Arizona St. that year
as well. The Scarlet Knights started the season
6-2 but lost two of their final three games.
It was a good finish however as Rutgers rebounded
from a 51-point drubbing at Louisville to
come back two weeks later and pound Cincinnati.
The Scarlet Knights went 1-3 this season against
teams heading to a bowl game.
Rutgers had a very solid offense
during the regular season as it ranked 52nd
in the country in total offense and 52nd in
scoring offense. The Scarlet Knights topped
30 points in seven of their 11 games while
generating at least 453 total yards on four
occasions. They finished the year with a season
high 337 yards rushing against Cincinnati
and the 574 total yards was also a season
best. Rutgers finished 40th in the country
in rushing offense, averaging 162.6 ypg and
4.2 ypc.
The Sun Devils will likely
have a tough time stopping that offense as
they finished the season ranked 114th in total
defense, allowing 463 ypg. The rushing defense
was the strength if you can call it a strength,
allowing 181.7 ypg and 4.3 ypc, 92nd in the
nation. The scoring defense was slightly better
thanks to three games where they allowed 24
points or less in their last four contests.
They allowed a season low 16 points to Temple
in their opener and then gave up 30.3 ppg
the rest of the way.
As bad as the defense is for
Arizona St. the offense was good enough to
carry for the majority of the season. It finished
4th in the country in total offense, thanks
to a passing attack that finished 3rd, averaging
364.9 ypg. Most impressive was that half the
season was played with a freshman at quarterback.
The problem is that the offense scored 31
or more points in three of the losses which
illustrate just how bad the defense can be
at times.
The Scarlet Knights were 40th
in total defense but their strength was stopping
the run and that won't be the priority here.
Rutgers finished 66th in passing defense,
allowing 218.6 ypg but it did allow over 330
yards through the air three times. This will
be the best offense it has seen besides Louisville
and the Cardinals hung up 56 points on them.
To their credit, that was the only game in
the final nine games where they allowed more
than 377 total yards.
Rutgers did not fare
well against the number away from home, going
1-4 ATS. Surprisingly, it was only an underdog
three times and went 1-2 ATS in those games
including a loss in the only game it received
double digits. Playing the 83rd ranked schedule
is the reason for so much chalk. Arizona St.
went 4-3 ATS as a favorite but 3-0 ATS when
laying two or more touchdowns. Both teams
combined 6-2 under with a total of 62 or more.
INSIGHT BOWL
Phoenix, Arizona
Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m. ET ESPN
Bank One Ballpark: 42,915
Arizona State (6-5) vs. Rutgers (7-4)
|
Matt Fargo is a documented member of The Professional
Handicappers League.
Read more of his articles and get his premium
plays here. |
