Ten years after their thrilling 2014 Sun Bowl clash, Arizona State and Duke are back in El Paso for a rematch-but this time, the circumstances are very different. What could’ve been a clean, high-stakes bowl game now feels more like a test of depth, resilience, and adaptability in the era of transfer portals and opt-outs. Welcome to bowl season in modern college football.
Arizona State's Depth Chart Takes a Hit
Let’s start with the Sun Devils. Arizona State enters the game with a solid 8-4 record, but they’ll be missing a staggering 19 players from their two-deep rotation.
That’s not a typo-19. Head coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed the absences, which include key starters on both sides of the ball: quarterback Sam Leavitt, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, running back Raleek Brown, cornerback Keith Abney II, and defensive end Clayton Smith, among others.
That’s a lot of talent on the sidelines. And it means Arizona State will be relying heavily on backups, younger players, and whoever’s next in line to step up. It’s a tall order for any team, especially in a postseason setting.
Dillingham, for his part, isn’t making excuses. “You play every game to win the football game,” he said.
“Do whatever we need to do to scratch and claw and win.” That’s the mentality he’s instilled in this program-and it’s part of why Arizona State has been one of the more compelling stories in college football the past couple of seasons.
Duke Has Holes Too-But Keeps Its Star QB
Duke’s not coming in at full strength either. The ACC champs (yes, you read that right-Duke, ACC champs at 8-5) will be without several key players, including second-team All-ACC offensive lineman Brian Parker, standout cornerback Chandler Rivers, and defensive end VJ Anthony.
But the Blue Devils do have one major advantage: quarterback Darian Mensah is suiting up. The dynamic signal-caller has been the engine of Duke’s offense this season, completing nearly 68% of his passes for 30 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He’s also expected to return in 2026, giving Duke rare continuity at the most important position in the game.
Mensah’s presence alone gives Duke a leg up, especially against an Arizona State defense that will be without several starters and likely leaning on less experienced players in critical spots.
Dillingham’s Future Secured, Distractions Avoided
Earlier this month, Arizona State locked in Dillingham with a new five-year contract. That move came just in time to quiet some of the noise surrounding his name and a potential connection to the Michigan job. With that speculation put to bed, the Sun Devils can focus on the task at hand.
And make no mistake-Dillingham has already left his mark. In just his second season, he delivered a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024. The new deal ensures he’ll be around to build on that foundation, even as the roster undergoes another round of turnover.
Sun Bowl Flashbacks
This isn’t Arizona State’s first rodeo in El Paso. In fact, this is their eighth Sun Bowl appearance, and they’ve won four of their last five.
Their most unforgettable? The 2014 thriller against Duke, where the Sun Devils blew a 17-point lead, only to reclaim momentum with a 96-yard kickoff return and score the game-winning touchdown on the very next play.
That game still stands as Duke’s only previous Sun Bowl appearance-until now.
A Broadcast Farewell
This year’s Sun Bowl also marks the end of an era in the booth. CBS Sports’ lead college football analyst Gary Danielson will call the final game of his career in El Paso, wrapping up a 20-year run with the network. At 74, Danielson walks away as the longest-tenured college football analyst on any network-a fitting sendoff in one of the sport’s most tradition-rich postseason games.
What to Watch: Arizona State vs. Duke
With so many key players out, this matchup becomes less about star power and more about which team can adapt better on the fly. Arizona State will likely turn to backup quarterback Jeff Sims, who has talent but will be working without many of the weapons that helped the Sun Devils get to 8-4.
Duke, meanwhile, still has most of its offensive core intact. That stability, particularly under center with Mensah, could be the difference. If Duke’s defense can contain Sims and force Arizona State into long, grinding drives, the Blue Devils should have the upper hand.
There’s also a little something to prove here for Duke. Despite winning the ACC, they’ve taken heat for the five losses. A win in El Paso would give them back-to-back nine-win seasons and a chance to silence some of the skeptics.
Prediction
This one’s tough to call with so many variables, but the edge goes to Duke. They’ve got their quarterback, they’ve got a more intact roster, and they’ve got something to prove. Arizona State will fight-Dillingham’s teams always do-but it may not be enough to overcome the sheer number of absences.
Pick: Duke ML (-152)
One thing’s for sure: the Sun Bowl still knows how to deliver storylines, even a decade after these two teams last met.