MATCHUP TO WATCH
Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen vs ASU run defense
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalist Braelon Allen has topped the 100-yard mark in seven games and became the fourth true freshman in UW history to rush for 1,000 yards — doing so despite having just 12 carries over the Badgers’ first four games. Allen, still just 17, is averaging 7.06 yards per attempt — best among FBS players with at least 100 carries. He looks to become the third Badger to average at least 7.0 yards per rush for a season, joining Melvin Gordon in 2013 (7.81) and 2014 (7.54) and Jonathan Taylor in 2018 (7.15). ASU has been solid this season when it comes to stopping the opposing team’s biggest ground threat. The unsung hero has been nose tackle D.J. Davidson, one of just two players on defense to start every game. He recorded 31 defensive “stops” on run defense this year, good for second in the FBS among interior linemen.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the just the fifth meeting between the teams with ASU leading 3-1, but it has been awhile since they last played. The most recent clash between the two was back in 2013 in Tempe with ASU prevailing 32-30. This will mark the first postseason game between the two.
DID YOU KNOW? ASU has been bowl eligible nine of the last 10 seasons excluding the 2020 COVID-19 season. ASU is one of just 20 Power 5 schools to have reached bowl eligibility nine of the last 10 seasons with that list also including its Las Vegas Bowl opponent Wisconsin.
HE SAID IT: “This is a pretty impressive bowl games. It’s one of the better ones. I think our guys are excited. By the time we kick it off it’s been a month. So it’s long and the kids are tired. They want to go home. It’s Christmas. We get all that. It’s been a long month all of a sudden. You win your last game and now you’re waiting around and trying to practice and guys, Santa Claus, and all that stuff is happening and holidays, and you still haven’t played. You’re waiting and all that. So its been a long stretch for these guys. But appreciate their effort but it’s been hard.” — ASU coach Herm Edwards on the playing in the Las Vegas Bowl and having a month between it and the end of regular season.