Pac-12 followers spend every fall comparing their teams to Big Ten programs, all with the hope of meeting an ideal Midwest opponent in Pasadena. When those hopes crumble with the cannibalization of the conference, the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl–and sometimes even the Duke’s Mayo Bowl–remain.
Arizona State (8-4) and Wisconsin (8-4) both were preseason Rose Bowl contenders, but found themselves dropping out of the equation at different points during the season. They will meet in the Las Vegas Bowl on Thursday night.
These teams also find themselves with distinctly different roster situations heading into the January 30th bowl game.