Arizona State Roundtable: Predicting Outcome of ASU Sun Bowl Bout

The Sun Devils are looking to finish the 2025 season with nine victories.

Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the first quarter against Iowa State in the Big-12 showdown at jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Kenny Dillingham has frequently brought up the goal of reaching 20 wins over a two-year period for the Arizona State Sun Devils in recent weeks.

The Sun Devils would reach 20 wins over the last two campaigns with a win over the Duke Blue Devils later today in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 2013/14. The feat will have to be accomplished without several key players on the side of the Sun Devils, while Duke will be rolling out star quarterback Darian Mensah after winning the ACC title three weeks ago.

Arizona State on SI staff predicts the outcome of the contest with the reigning ACC champions below.

Kevin Hicks: Arizona State 45, Duke 38

The Sun Devils are decisive underdogs heading into this season-closing battle behind Mensah’s emergence, Duke finishing their ACC trek on a high note, and Arizona State facing many more opt-outs compared to the Blue Devils. However, Arizona State’s offense holds matchup advantages being pitted against a porous Duke offense. Expect a massive day from the Arizona State run game, and expect the seniors that opted to play this game to come through in key moments in what will be a shootout contest that somewhat mirrors the 2024 rendition of the Sun Bowl against the same opponent.

Del Valle alum Jake Fette, an incoming Arizona State freshman, runs drills during ASU practice at Eastwood High School in El Paso, Texas, on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during Sun Bowl week ahead of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. | Gaby Velasquez/ El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lizzie Vargas: Arizona State 27, Duke 20

Arizona State heads into the Sun Bowl looking for one last win to close out the season. No matter how much college football has changed, getting an extra game still matters, especially for a team trying to build momentum. Duke is a tough opponent. The Blue Devils play clean and rarely make mistakes. That means Arizona State will need to stay disciplined and avoid turnovers. For the Sun Devils, this game is about effort and execution. With some familiar faces missing, younger players will get a bigger opportunity. How they handle the moment will go a long way in deciding the outcome. Arizona State has shown all season that when it plays physical and stays focused, it can hang with anyone. This feels like the kind of bowl game that stays close into the fourth quarter. Neither team is likely to pull away early, and every drive will matter. In the end, Arizona's consistency gives them a slight edge.

Arizona State and Duke are slated for a start time of noon MST - with the broadcast being one of national variety on CBS.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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