A team that has nothing to play for is a dangerous one.
UA coach Mike Stoops knows that fact all too well. In 2004, his Wildcats had nothing to play for, except to ruin the bowl prospects of a ranked ASU squad.
UA was victorious and the Sun Devils had to settle for the Sun Bowl.
Fast forward to 2009, where the teams are flipped, but the scenario is all too real again. ASU can do serious damage to the bowl prospects of the Wildcats.
“I think it is exciting because that was our bowl game. Kind of like theirs is now,” Stoops said. “We were really excited to play it even though we weren’t in a great position. That was significant in our program; it gave us hope.”
The Wildcats’ Rose Bowl hopes died in their 44-41 loss in double overtime to Oregon. Now, UA needs to win at least one of its last two games to secure a bowl bid.
“We can finish anywhere from second to sixth. That is a significant difference,” Stoops said. “We are always trying to improve our position and get better for the program.”
The Pac-10 has seven teams bowl eligible and six bowl berths guaranteed. The final bowl slot will come down to UCLA or UA. If UCLA can upset USC, that puts tremendous pressure on UA to beat ASU.
“That is how close this league is; we understand you have to play 60 minutes,” Stoops said. “I think our players understand that now. The competition is so high and the talent is too.”
The Wildcats (6-4, 4-3 Pac-10) have had trouble playing 60 minutes.
They have been close to victories against Washington, Cal and Oregon but couldn’t seal the deal.
“We have had a chance to close three games and we just haven’t be
en able to do it,” Stoops said. “We have been aggressive in all three situations.”
UA was certainly aggressive against Oregon on Saturday. Up by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Nick Foles threw an interception in Oregon territory.
“Those are the things that can happen when you throw the ball — a lot of bad things can happen,” Stoops said. “We were trying to gain yards for a field goal. If we get the first down or field-goal range, we pretty much win the game.”
On paper it looks like UA should lock up a bowl berth with a victory over a slumping ASU (4-7, 2-6) team, but Stoops knows anything can happen in a rivalry.
“I think it is like any rival game. There is a strong dislike for the other opponent during that week,” Stoops said. “There is a lot at stake any time you play a game like this.”
While UA expects ASU to be motivated, the Wildcats want to prove that they are the better program in the state.
“You want to play your rivals better than anybody else,” Stoops said. “We want to be the premiere school in Arizona. We are going to do everything we can to be ready to play.”
UA will be without junior running back Nic Grigsby, who will miss the game with a shoulder injury.
“It is hard to play effectively,” Stoops said. “We tried to get him going in the second half but it is extremely difficult with that type of injury; it is hard to take hits on a bad shoulder.”
Ultimately it will come down to the Wildcats putting a tough loss behind them and moving on. If they don’t, the Rose Bowl hopes could change into no bowl game at all.
“We have to put this behind them and move on to Arizona State,” Stoops said. “I think they are much improved over last season. Sometimes records don’t always indicate that.”
Reach the reporter at andrew.gruman@asu.edu.
