Las Vegas Bowl 2018: Fresno State vs. Arizona State live stream – Watch online

Here’s everything you need to know about the Las Vegas Bowl between Fresno State and Arizona State.

Two weeks ago, No. 21 ranked Fresno State traveled to Idaho and took down Boise State on their blue turf to win the Mountain West Conference. It was a bitter-sweet victory for second-year head coach Jeff Tedford, who now looks to get his first bowl victory with a win over Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Fresno State is led by quarterback Marcus McMaryion, who finished the regular season with 3,453 yards, 32 total touchdowns, and only three interceptions. As you can see, McMaryion is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, which has helped Fresno State achieve one of the best turnover margins in the nation. However, the Bulldogs ball-hawking secondary has a lot to do with that as well. On the year, Fresno State has forced 17 interceptions, which equates to an interception on 3.13 percent of their opponents passing attempts and their plus-13 turnover margin ranks sixth in the nation.

Arizona State was all the talk this past offseason when the program hired former head coach turned analyst, Herm Edwards. No one saw this as a move that would improve the state of the program and many continuously mocked the hire, but in the end, it looks to have worked out. Although the Sun Devils finished the regular season with the same record (7-5), they were only projected to finish 4-8, due to the uncertainty at the head coaching position and the loss of many key players.

Throughout the 2018 season, Arizona State continued to surprise their critics by topping Michigan State, Utah, and Arizona. Even in their losses, the Sun Devils were competitive and not lost a game by more than a seven-point margin. Running back Eno Benjamin and wide receiver N’Keal Harry should be recognized for their play and were a key part in getting this team to bowl eligibility, but no one should overlook what this coaching staff has done. Although Harry elected to skip the bowl game and sign with an agent to prepare for the NFL Draft, Arizona State still looks to get their first bowl victory since the 2014 season.

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With plenty of star power on each side, expect the Las Vegas Bowl to be one of the most competitive games on the opening day of bowl season. Here is everything you need to know about the game.

How to watch and bet on the Las Vegas Bowl

Date: Saturday, Dec. 15
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Stadium: Sam Boyd Stadium
TV Info: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Odds

Points Spread: Fresno State -4
Money Line: Fresno State -190, ASU +165
O/U: 53.5

Keys to Victory

Fresno State – The key for the Bulldogs will be to continue winning the turnover margin. It was highlighted above, but this teams ability to turnover the opposing team is the reason they are the second highest ranked Group of 5 team in the country. There is a slight issue with leaning on this against Arizona State though because they have only turned the ball over nine times this season, which is the third fewest in college football. McMaryion will continue to take care of things on the offensive side of the ball, but this defense will have to make some plays for the Bulldogs to win the game.

Arizona State – The Sun Devils will be without Harry, but shifting to a run-first attack may be beneficial against Fresno State. Therefore, the key for Arizona State will be to establish a strong running game from the start. I’ve said it once and will say it again, the strength of the Fresno State defense is in the secondary, so limiting their opportunities is your best chance for success offensively. Furthermore, Benjamin is one of the best in the Pac-12 and will have a favorable match-up in this game. The Bulldogs have shown their weakness is stopping the run. In their two games against Boise State running back Alexander Mattison, who is the best back they’ve seen to date, the Bulldogs gave up 244 yards and three touchdowns to Mattison alone. Benjamin is a better back and if given the opportunity he will have a huge game in Sin City.

Prediction

Although Fresno State has played great all season, this game simply doesn’t match-up in their favor. Not only will Arizona State continue to take care of the ball and prevent Fresno State from winning the turnover battle, but they also have the best running back the Bulldogs have seen to date. Expect Benjamin to have a big day and lead Arizona State to a victory in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Final Score: Arizona State 27, Fresno State 24