The Arizona St. Sun Devils have hit a turbulent stretch of their season with back-to-back losses coming against the UCLA Bruins and Washington St. Cougars on the road. The Sun Devils return home for a big home game against the Arizona Wildcats in this year's Territorial Cup, and ASU looks to record a win in order to secure bragging rights while also improving its postseason bowl prospects. According to SB Nation's very own Bill Connelly and the latest edition of his 2011 bowl projections, the Sun Devils are projected to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Baylor.
Connelly has the Sun Devils beating both the Wildcats and the Cal Golden Bears over ASU's final two games of the regular season to secure a berth in the inaugural Pac-12 title game. Connelly further predicts that the Sun Devils will fall to the Oregon Ducks in the championship game to fall to 8-5 on the season.
Meanwhile, Baylor is projected to drop one of its final three games to finish the season 8-4. The Bears, who generated buzz behind the arm of Robert Griffin III early on in the year, have rebounded from a tough 1-3 stretch with consecutive wins. They play the Oklahoma Sooners on the road this week in what figures to be their toughest game left this season.
Before ASU can start considering postseason implications and a potential match-up against Baylor, the Sun Devils need to ensure a strong finish to their regular season over the team's final two games. The Sun Devils can bounce back from two bad road outings and generate momentum moving forward with back-to-back wins at home. First up: the rival Wildcats.
For more on the upcoming bowl season, check out the 2011 College Football Bowl Schedule.