PHOENIX — Which team carries the most motivational mojo into the Cactus Bowl?
West Virginia’s robust senior class hasn’t sniffed postseason success since the Orange Bowl rout capped 2011. Arizona State hopes to put on a good show in front of a home crowd at Chase Field while avoiding the embarrassment of a losing season.
“The teams that win the bowl games are the ones that are most excited to play,” said Mountaineers defensive coordinator Tony Gibson. “I think our guys are going to be excited to play. I think those 20 seniors will make sure that happens.”
Though Arizona State (6-6) spiraled after being a trendy preseason pick to win the Pac 12, its senior class is the program’s winningest in four decades.
“You got to win,” said Sun Devils senior center Nick Kelly, a 25-game starter. “People don’t notice how you won, how you lost, but they notice for sure if it’s a winning or losing record.
West Virginia (7-5), which missed its chance at a five-game winning streak by losing at Kansas State, still can win eight games for the first time in its four-year Big 12 history.
“The seniors, they’re holding us accountable,” said junior center Tyler Orlosky. “Since they’ve been here the only bowl game they’ve won was the Orange Bowl and only a few were playing that year, so they want to go out with a bowl win.”
The Sun Devils played 10 bowl teams, forming the nation’s 19th-toughest schedule, according to the Sagarin ratings. West Virginia’s strength of schedule ranks 41st.
“Our team has been practicing at a high level,” said Arizona State’s Kelly. “We’ve been going full pads, going goods against goods. I believe our team is ready to win this.”
Conference call: After the New Year’s Day games, the Big 12 stands 1-3 in bowls and the Pac-12 is 6-2.
Wendell Smallwood said West Virginia players have developed league pride, giving games like the Cactus Bowl extra meaning.
“I know a lot of guys in the Pac-10 and they talk a lot of crap,” he said. “We argue every day about who’s the better conference.
“I think this is my chance to go out there and prove it—that the Big 12 can beat up on the Pac-10 or Pac-12, whatever it is.”
New Year’s resolutions: Arizona State defensive linemen Tashon Smallwood, asked about his intentions for 2016, said the top priority is make sure the Sun Devils improve upon a lackluster 2015.
“We underachieved this year,” he said. “so we definitely don’t want to be in the same position again.”
Arizona didn’t suit Gibson: The 2012 season he spent coaching under Rich Rodriguez at the University of Arizona only reinforced how much Tony Gibson missed life back East.
The Wildcats’ facilities were newly renovated and Gibson complimented “the great people” in Tucson who supported the program, but a West Virginia native accustomed to greenery never felt comfortable with the dusty, hot terrain.
“I’d look out in my back yard and there was desert,” he said. “Everything out there was ugly and poisonous.”
Gibby getting his due: After Gibson’s name surfaced last month for various jobs, Arizona State head coach Todd Graham was glad to see his former colleague receiving credit.
“Probably because he was such a good recruiter, people (originally) didn’t think about him as far as the schematic part of it,” Graham said. “Being a coordinator, I think he’s shown he’s very capable there. I’m very impressed when I watch their defense, how they’ve progressed in his seasons there.
“He’s done a great job developing. They’ve definitely gotten better.”