Motivation and line knowledge. Fresno State got its revenge over Boise State to reach the Las Vegas Bowl. My feeling is they are happy to be here. Arizona State knows it is a six-point underdog coming from the Pac-12. This will be a low scoring game so points are at a premium.

LAS VEGAS BOWL -- Give me Eno Benjamin and the Sun Devils to simply out-athlete the Bulldogs. N'Keal Harry's absence at wide receiver is a little concerning, but Kyle Williams and Frank Darby should be able to pick up the slack and give Benjamin some room to roam. The Sun Devils' defense gave up just 4.15 yards per play against Group of Five teams. Motivation of Pac-12 teams in the Las Vegas Bowl is always a concern, but Herm Edwards' crew would love to carry momentum into the offseason.

LAS VEGAS BOWL -- How nice it would have been to grab the Bulldogs when they were three-point underdogs. Yet they remain a catch. Sun Devils premier WR N'Keal Henry bypasses the bowl to save himself for the NFL draft, and relying on a run attack is no solution. Fresno's rush defense ranks 36th and its TD allowance of seven is tied for the nation's fewest. ASU coach Herm Edwards vows to deploy lesser-used youngsters at QB and other skill positions. Already, the rotation on defense includes a half-dozen freshmen.

LAS VEGAS BOWL - Mountain West champ Fresno State looks to push its luck a little further in Vegas. The Bulldogs have been one of the best Group of Five teams not named UCF all season long and deserve to be favored in this game against Arizona State. Still, the Bulldogs have done a great job of beating up on bad teams, and have struggled a bit against more formidable opponents. Arizona State, meanwhile, is 5-2 ATS as a dog this season and hasn't lost a game by more than a touchdown all season.

LAS VEGAS BOWL -- This matchup is one of the best of the bowl season. Both Fresno State and Arizona State have impressed throughout the season. The Bulldogs' defense is one of the best in the country, and it's catching a break because star Sun Devils receiver N'Keal Harry will sit this game out as he prepares for the NFL Draft. That takes away a big piece of not only the Sun Devils' passing game, but also their return game. Lay the points with Fresno State