Boise St. and Kellen Moore try to finish the season strong against Osweiler and Arizona St.

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Boise State v. Arizona State

It feels like we’ve been watching Boise State QB Kellen Moore for a decade, but it’s only been four years.  But, those four years have been, arguably, as productive as any quarterback’s four years have been in quite some time, if ever.  He has led the Broncos to an NCAA record 49 wins and will be the first collegiate quarterback to lead his team to 50 wins with a win over Arizona State in this bowl.

The Broncos lost to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl his freshman season, lost to Nevada in his junior season by a FG in OT and lost to TCU at home by one this season.  So, Moore’s Broncos lost all of three games in his career by a total of five points.  All of five points?!?  Incredible.  Now, juxtapose Boise State’s success over Moore’s four years with the five years of now deposed head coach Dennis Erickson at Arizona State.  More ups and downs than a Six Flags roller coaster and twice the number of losses in 2011 than Boise State has had in four years.  Yet, the Sun Devils have as much physical, next level talent as the Broncos, if not more.

But, let’s be honest, Erickson is coaching his last game because that so-called talent was often flat, unorganized, undisciplined and out-of-control.  But, then again, hasn’t it always ended that way no matter where Erickson has been?  Yep.  However, if the Sun Devils can get some confidence early and QB Brock Osweiler can nitpick the Boise State secondary enough in the first half, Arizona State can stay within shouting distance.  Eventually, though, the little things, the attention to detail will catch up with the Sun Devils…and the inability to stop the Broncos offensive balance.

RB Doug Martin, now healthy (relatively speaking), is often a forgotten man nationally, but he’s a beast that the Sun Devils can’t stop for a full four quarters.  Moore is special, but Martin will be the gamechanger for this offense in this last game of the season.  He’ll finish with 125+ and a couple of touchdowns in a convincing final win for the Broncos stellar senior class.

Player to Watch

Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict – it may be the last time Burfict puts on the maroon and gold uni and that may actually be a good thing for ALL parties involved.  But, if he DECIDES to play (and ASU ALLOWS him to play), actually play, he can be a major thorn for the undersized Boise State offensive line.  If he’s “not there”, if you know what I mean, he can be an even bigger thorn for the Sun Devils.  I just want to see him put the crap behind him and play.  Really play the game the right way.  For once.

Boise State – 29 vs. Arizona State - 16