The Arizona St. Sun Devils moved to 6-2 on the season and 4-1 in the Pac-12 after last weekend's 48-14 Homecoming victory over the Colorado Buffaloes. The win secured bowl eligibility for ASU this postseason, and ASU fans will look ahead to potential bowl match-ups as the season continues to progress. In his latest version of the 2011 college football bowl projections, SB Nation's very own Bill Connelly predicts that the Sun Devils will play Kansas State in the Valero Alamo Bowl after losing to Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Connelly projects the Sun Devils to finish the season with an 8-4 record, with two wins and two losses coming in the team's final four games against UCLA, Washington State, Arizona and Cal. Connelly has the Sun Devils winning the Pac-12 South and losing to the Cardinal in the conference championship game. He gives Stanford a 74% chance of victory in that contest.
At 9-4 following the conference title game, Connelly places ASU into a match-up with the Kansas State Wildcats (projected to go 8-4 with three losses in their final four games) in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
The Sun Devils could outperform these projections by closing out the season with anything better than a 2-2 record. The Sun Devils should be favored in each of their final four games this season, beginning with their game against the UCLA Bruins this weekend. In fact, ASU is currently an 8.5 to 9.5-point favorite against the Bruins, according to Odds Shark.
As favorites in each of their four remaining games, ASU should post better than a 2-2 record. The Sun Devils have played poorly on the road at times this season but should power through against UCLA and Washington State to achieve at least a 3-1 record.
If the Sun Devils can go 3-1 record or better down the stretch, the Sun Devils will end their season with a record of 9-3 or better. That mark should earn the Sun Devils a high bowl game and the opportunity to cap off a strong 2011 campaign with one more victory.
As bowl season approaches, check out the 2011 College Football Bowl Schedule.