Duke vs #15 Arizona State, Sun Bowl, Dec 27th, 2:00 kick

[CameronBornAndBred]

I hate the destination, but I love that we are facing a solid and ranked team.
LGD!!!

P.S. I only hate the destination due to purely selfish reasons...

[Cheermom]

So bummed we are going to the Sun Bowl. I had hotel reservations in almost every other Bowl city, but the airfare to El Paso is just too expensive for us to go!

[Bob Green]

We are going to have to be firing on all eight cylinders, in all three phases of the game for this one. The Sun Devils can score some points. I'm expecting a shoot out. Vegas has the over/under at 66.5 points with ASU favored by eight points.

[YmoBeThere]

I'm good with the destination and just want us to win!

[Bob Green]

ASU gave up 27.6 points per game this season. If you throw out the high (62) and low (10), it drops to an even 26 points per game. We should be able to score on this team. The game plan will be critical. Seeing as they blitz a lot, we need to attack the edges with the running game plus some draws up the middle. When we pass, keep the back in to protect Boone and attack down the field. Moving the pocket is another option. Bubble screens and swing passes are not going to work against ASU due to their speed.

Just some random thoughts...

[devildeac]

ASU gave up 27.6 points per game this season. If you throw out the high (62) and low (10), it drops to an even 26 points per game. We should be able to score on this team. The game plan will be critical. Seeing as they blitz a lot, we need to attack the edges with the running game plus some draws up the middle. When we pass, keep the back in to protect Boone and attack down the field. Moving the pocket is another option. Bubble screens and swing passes are not going to work against ASU due to their speed.

Just some random thoughts...

That helps me a lot. Seriously. Football strategy is not one of my strong points.

[YmoBeThere]

We need a win!

[YmoBeThere]

So, I grew up in Arizona. Well, the high school years. Many a friend who went to ASU or UofA. Thus the reason for my prior post.

Did you see how I got two posts out of one idea. No great insight from me on the football side...

[devildeac]

We need a win!

Damn right and we are counting on you to take a couple or three Texas Duke fans with you for that win!!!!

[Bob Green]

I watched a lot of Arizona State video clips on ESPN.com yesterday. I watched clips from their games against Washington, Stanford, Colorado and Washington State. A few observations:

1. They love to blitz and play man-to-man in the secondary. We can exploit this.

2. ASU has the ability to run the ball. We are going to have to respect their run game.

3. QB Taylor Kelly (#10) is effective when he passes the ball quickly. When he sits in the pocket, it appears he becomes indecisive.

4. WR Jaelen Strong (#21) is a beast. We will have to know where he is at all times.

5. DL Marcus Hardison (#1) is a dominant performer.

Our defense must get a stop or two and create some turnovers. ASU QBs are vulnerable to being sacked so I expect Duke will blitz at opportune times. The Sun Devils back-up QB seems to be a better runner on designed runs such as the read option or QB draw, but neither appears elusive when attempting to avoid a sack.

Turnovers, field position and penalties will all come into play. Duke must play a clean game. I do not believe ASU is as good a team as Georgia Tech. This is a winnable game.

[Bob Green]

The highlights from ASU's win over Notre Dame are worth watching:

http://espn.go.com/ncf/video?gameId=400548302

The Sun Devils defense destroys ND QB Everett Golson: sacks, fumbles and interceptions. Our offensive line must be prepared and ready to counter ASU's pass rush which is really good at getting hands up and tipping passes at the line of scrimmage.

[CameronBornAndBred]

#13 out of 38 bowls. That's a decent ranking, and is where MSN places the Sun Bowl matchup in their list.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/ ... f#image=27

[Bob Green]

#13 out of 38 bowls.

I know a lot of Duke fans are disappointed with the Sun Bowl, but it really is a good thing for the program. At the end of a 9-3 season, we've been selected to play against a Top 15 team in one of the old bowl games. I'm excited! Of course it is easy for me, I knew I was watching on TV no matter which game we were selected for so location was irrelevant.

[YmoBeThere]

Woohoo, I got my ticket today. Row 63! I'm better off watching it from home. I'll need to send more cash to the Iron Dukes(drunks*) in the future.

*While I was in school, '89-'93, we ran into quite a few members of the Iron Dukes...on more than one occasion(many more than one) they were inebriated. From that point on, we referred to them as the Iron Drunks.

[devildeac]

#13 out of 38 bowls.

I know a lot of Duke fans are disappointed with the Sun Bowl, but it really is a good thing for the program. At the end of a 9-3 season, we've been selected to play against a Top 15 team in one of the old bowl games. I'm excited! Of course it is easy for me, I knew I was watching on TV no matter which game we were selected for so location was irrelevant.

I dunno, Bob. We mighta been able to convince you to attend the Belk Bowl, the Music City Bowl or drive down I-95 to a nice sunny bowl in Orlando or Jacksonville ;) .

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

The Team leaves today for ElPaso!

[YmoBeThere]

Should have posted this here...

Cool weather in the forecast for Christmas(mid-50s). Then it'll warm up for the trip out to El Paso before cooling back down for the game on Saturday.

[Bob Green]

Here is my stab at an Arizona State scouting report and Sun Bowl preview:

http://bluedevilnation.net/2014/12/sun- ... e-vs-duke/

The Sun Devils are a powerful offensive team, which averages 37 points per game and features a 1,000 yard receiver and a 1,000 yard rusher.

[Bob Green]

I wish the black uniforms would just go away! Whatever, we are playing in a bowl game for the 3rd consecutive year so I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

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