The 2019 Sun Bowl will feature teams from the ACC and the Pac-12 Conference. Florida State will take on Arizona State in the historic Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 (2 p.m. ET, CBS). Here is the 2019 Sun Bowl preview.
Florida State Seminoles (6-6)
It’s been quite the season at Florida State, but the future has the potential to be bright. The Seminoles are in the Sun Bowl after their record 36 consecutive seasons with a bowl appearance ended in 2018. Coach Willie Taggart was fired in November and former Memphis boss Mike Norvell is now in charge.
Of course, the immediate focus for Florida State is the Sun Bowl. In which it will be without star running back Cam Akers (1,144 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns), who declared for the NFL draft. FSU still has some talent in quarterback James Blackman (2,095 passing yards) and receiver Tamorrion Terry (51 receptions, 1,023 yards, eight touchdowns).
Defensively, the Seminoles have allowed at least 40 points three times, but also held three opponents to 17 or fewer. With Arizona State minus two of its biggest offensive weapons, the FSU defense might look more like the latter.
Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5)
The major Sun Bowl storyline for the Sun Devils is who will not be playing. Specifically, stud running back Eno Benjamin (1,083 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, 42 receptions) and talented receiver Brandon Aiyuk (65 receptions, 1,192 yards, eight touchdowns). Both are preparing for the NFL.
However, star freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels (2,748 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, two interceptions, 319 rushing yards) is something special. Versatile Kyle Williams is also someone to keep an eye on at the Sun Bowl.
Arizona State’s defense yielded 28.4 points during Pac-12 play, so the potential to be roughed up by a relatively modest FSU offense is a possibility. However, the Sun Devils have forced 15 of their 22 turnovers caused over the last six games.
Prediction
Losing two of the country’s top offensive players would not seem to bode well for Arizona State. Daniels is one of the best freshmen in the country, but even a middling Florida State group should be able to take advantage of what the Sun Devils are lacking.
Florida State 30, Arizona State 20
