PHOENIX — Neither Arizona State or West Virginia made it their preseason goal to become Cactus Bowl champions, but now it’s the best-available prize. And former Mountaineers offensive lineman Jeff Braun contends what happens in the desert can deeply impact where these teams open the 2016 season.
“You need to propel yourself into next year and spring football—I really believe that,” he said. “If you go into a bowl game and get blown out or don’t play well, when you come back for winter workouts it’s miserable.”
There’s also the fluid situation involving coach Dana Holgorsen, who hasn’t won a bowl game in four calendar years and whose teams have never won more than seven games in four Big 12 seasons.