Fiesta Bowl: Arizona and Boise State each make a third Fiesta appearance

Vizio Fiesta Bowl

Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (10-3)

Glendale, Ariz.

Dec. 31, 2014

Boise State is back in a familiar spot while Arizona should have a distinct advantage in Wednesday's Fiesta Bowl.

Plus, both teams have something to prove.

In the BCS era, Boise State went to two BCS Bowls and both were the Fiesta Bowl. The first, a win over Oklahoma after the 2006 season, is a game that you very likely remember.

The second was a 17-10 win over TCU after the 2009 season.

The Broncos made the Fiesta Bowl as the highest-ranked team in the College Football Playoff rankings outside of a Power Five conference. While Boise State isn't seen as nearly the underdog that it was in 2007, Wednesday's game is a chance for the Broncos to show that they were the appropriate choice by the selection committee after Marshall's win in the Boca Raton Bowl to cap a 12-1 season.

It's also Arizona's third trip to the Fiesta Bowl, though it's been a long time between trips No. 2 and No. 3. The Wildcats last made the Fiesta Bowl after the 1993 season, beating Miami in 29-0.

For the Wildcats, the game is a chance to erase the memories of what happened in December. In the Pac-12 title game against Oregon, a team Arizona beat on the road earlier in the season, the Ducks rolled 51-13.

Looking for a gambling angle on the game? The over (67.5) might be a good bet. Boise State averages nearly 40 points per game while Arizona is at almost 35. Plus, both teams are outside the top 60 in scoring defense.

Vegas odds: Arizona (-3)

FUN FACT

Boise State's win in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl came in now-Washington coach Chris Petersen's first season with the school. Bryan Harsin, a former Boise State quarterback who was on the team for the Broncos' first-ever FBS bowl win in 1999, is in his first year as BSU coach.

PREDICTIONS

Graham: Arizona had a dismal showing in the Pac-12 title game, but I have a hard time seeing that happen again. If quarterback Anu Solomon is healthy and the defense can limit the production of Boise State RB Jay Ajayi, the Wildcats will prevail in a close one. Arizona 35, Boise State 31.

Nick: As Grant Hedrick goes, Boise State goes. Hedrick threw four interceptions in each of Boise State's two losses in 2014. He has five interceptions in the Broncos' 11 wins. While this isn't a claim for four-pick game No. 3, Arizona is the pick here. Arizona 34, Boise State 27

Sam: Boise will put up a good fight for its Group of Five brethren, but Arizona is just the better, more explosive team. The Wildcats want to get the bad taste out of their mouths from the Pac-12 title game debacle. Arizona 34, Boise State 24.

For more Arizona news, visit GoAZCats.com.

For more Boise State news, visit Blue-Turf.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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