Head coach Herm Edwards has changed the expectations for the Arizona State football program. No longer are students and alumni giving away football tickets. Gone are the days when the Sun Devils were a second-rate team in the Pac-12. This basketball school has once again built a football program it can be proud of.
But the Sun Devils haven’t met a team like Wisconsin in many years. The last time ASU faced a top-10 team from outside its conference was way back in 2014 when it beat No. 8 Notre Dame.
Wisconsin is the Sun Devils’ opponent in the Las Vegas Bowl Thursday night. The Badgers began the season ranked No. 12 nationally and inched their way into the top 10 for weeks following a sluggish start. Now, after winning seven of their last eight games in the tough Big 10, the Badgers bring their No. 1-ranked defense to the desert to face the Sun Devils.
The Badgers are favored by about six points at most Arizona sportsbooks. Here are all of the noteworthy betting numbers.
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Las Vegas Bowl Betting Odds
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Arizona State +6 (-115) Wisconsin -6 (-105) | Arizona State +180 Wisconsin -220 | Over 42 (-110) Under 42 (-110) |
| BetMGM | Arizona State +6.5 (-110) Wisconsin -6.5 (-110) | Arizona State +200 Wisconsin -250 | Over 42 (-110) Under 42 (-110) |
| Caesars | Arizona State +6 (-110) Wisconsin -6 (-110) | Arizona State +190 Wisconsin -230 | Over 42 (-110) Under 42 (-110) |
| FanDuel | Arizona State +6 (-110) Wisconsin -6 (-110) | Arizona State +190 Wisconsin -235 | Over 41.5 (-110) Under 41.5 (-110) |
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Las Vegas Bowl Analysis
On the surface, you might think the Las Vegas Bowl is a clash of two great defenses. The Badgers (8-4) are No. 1 in fewest yards allowed, and ASU (8-4) is 19th. But there is a wide gap between the two. Wisconsin surrenders 241 yards per game, and the Devils give up 330.
Arizona State’s rushing attack (which averages more than 200 yards per game) will be challenged by the front seven of Wisconsin, which has allowed 65.8 yards per game rushing. Talk about meeting an immovable object.
ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels should present little difficulty for the Badgers. He rarely attempts a pass of more than 10 yards downfield, and he has just 10 TDs against nine interceptions.
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Las Vegas Bowl Betting Pick
The Badgers like to simplify the game: Front seven against front seven on both sides of the ball. Coach Paul Chryst has a glimmering 64-23 record at his alma mater, recording the sixth-most wins in college football over the last seven seasons. The Badgers are 5-1 under Chryst in bowl games.
The Las Vegas Bowl should be a chess match between two excellent coaches, with a low-scoring contest that Wisconsin wins.
But, while Wisconsin will win this game, you should grab the six points the oddsmakers are giving and plunk your money down on ASU. Edwards will have his players ready, and they will keep this game close. Expect something very ugly, like a 17-13 final score.
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