The No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2), Pac-10 Co-Champions and No. 17 Texas Longhorns (9-3), Big-12 South runner up will face off in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. The Texas-ASU match-up is the first between the two universities.
Oddsmakers at online sports wagering giant Sportsbook.com have established the Longhorns 2 ½ point favorites against the spread (ATS) with a money line price of -135 with a 62 ½ point game total. Sun Devil backers are getting +115 on the money line.
Betting trends show a slight majority of gamblers (52%) favoring Texas in side betting (ATS) while 75% of the early money line bets is on Arizona State. Seventy-Six percent favor the OVER to exceed the posted total.
The game will mark the fourth straight post-season bowl appearance for Arizona State. The Sun Devils are 12-9-1 all-time in the postseason and are in search of their first Holiday Bowl win in this, their third try. The team last participated in the Holiday Bowl in 2002, when it was downed by Kansas State, 34-17. As for Texas, it brings a 9-3 ledger into the contest, marking the 10th straight season the team has won at least nine games. The 'Horns are making their 10th straight bowl appearance and that is a school record.
Offensively the Sun Devils thrived behind quarterback Rudy Carpenter. Carpenter now has 7,811 career passing yards as a Sun Devil. One of Carpenter’s most dangerous weapons is all-purpose back Rudy Burgess who has over 1000 career yards on the ground, through the air and in return yards. Against USC Burgess became ASU’s all time leader in kickoff return yards.
After establishing itself in recent years as a national offensive powerhouse predominately predicated on its passing attack, ASU proved it could attack opposing defenses with a punishing ground game last season. The Sun Devils boast one of the best backfields in the Pac-10, featuring junior Keegan Herring and sophomore Dimitri Nance. ASU rushed for 2,206 yards in 2006 and so far in 2007 it has gained 1,662 yards on the ground. In total, ASU has three of eight active Pac-10 ballcarriers to have surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards, including Herring and Ryan Torain as well as senior wide receiver Rudy Burgess who is a dangerous all-purpose threat and was ASU's starting tailback during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Offensively, the Longhorns pose many problems for the Arizona State defense. The Horns are very balanced rushing for 199.8 ypg and passing for another 262.2 ypg. The offense has scored an average of 36 ppg. Power back Jamaal Charles has had a great season rolling up 1,458 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead Texas. Charles averages 6.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Colt McCoy followed up a tremendous 2006 campaign with solid showing this season. The talented gunslinger has completed 64.9 percent of his throws for 260.8 ypg and 21 touchdowns, although he has been intercepted (18) far too often. Still, McCoy is a dual threat, as he is also dangerous when the ball is tucked away, rushing for 408 yards and three scores. Nate Jones and Quan Cosby give McCoy options down the field as the duo has combined for 123 catches, 1,373 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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