Adam Rittenberg breaks down the West Virginia-Arizona State matchup in the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.
Arizona State’s defense this season has had a dizzying boom-or-bust nature, giving up a Pac-12-worst 77 plays of 20 or more yards this season but also recording a Pac-12-best 44 sacks.
Every other drive, it seemed the Sun Devils would manage to hold an offense to little or no gain on the first two downs before giving up a 45-yard completion or run. It was maddening for coach Todd Graham, who has seen his defensive yards per play average get worse every season during his tenure.