Both Arizona State and Texas Tech experienced late-season free falls that ended their seasons on sour notes. Both teams peaked in the top 20 in polls during the middle of the season, but key losses forced both teams to end the year on disappointing terms. However, a win in Holiday Bowl will at least tie a positive bow on the 2013 season.
Arizona State went on an eight-game win streak following their loss to then No. 5 Stanford including wins over Washington and UCLA. They have the opportunity to earn their first 11-win season for just the sixth time in program history. The issue is the Holiday Bowl, a game that does not have positive history for the team. The Sun Devils are trying to avoid their fourth-straight loss in the game with a win over the Red Raiders. Last time the team fell to Texas 52-30.
A trip to the Holiday Bowl is a big disappointment for Texas Tech. At one point, the team was ranked No. 10 before losing to Oklahoma and then completely falling apart. The team dropped their next four games after that loss, putting up just 23.8 points per game. Not to mention Big 12 Freshman of the Year quarterback Baker Mayfield intends to transfer, ending his year. The quarterback tossed for 2,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games as a starter, but has decided to leave the team.
Arizona State could rely on running back Marion Grice who will face a Texas Tech defense that gave up an average of 504.6 yards per game during a five-game losing streak. They gave up 294.0 yards on the ground. However, Arizona State has suffered their own defensive setbacks, giving up 517 yards to Stanford at one point.
The Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham admitted he really thought the team had the Pac 12 division on lock at one point during the season, as did the Red Raiders. The Holiday Bowl could be determined by which team is capable of having a strong bounceback.
