The Arizona State Sun Devils take on the Duke Blue Devils in the 2025 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET on CBS.
Duke is favored by -3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. The total is set at 49.5 points.
Here’s my Arizona State vs. Duke prediction and college football picks for Wednesday, December 31.
Arizona State vs Duke Prediction
- Arizona State vs. Duke Pick: Arizona State +3.5
My Duke vs. Arizona State best bet is on the Sun Devils to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Arizona State vs Duke Odds
| Arizona State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -102 | 48.5 -115o / -105u | +142 |
| Duke Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -118 | 48.5 -115o / -105u | -170 |
- Arizona State vs Duke Spread: Duke -3, Arizona State +3
- Arizona State vs Duke Over/Under: 48.5 Points
- Arizona State vs Duke Moneyline: Arizona State +142, Duke -170
Arizona State vs Duke Sun Bowl Preview
Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Preview: Injuries Derailed ASU
Expectations were sky high for ASU this season after winning the Big 12 last year and coming one play away from making the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Injuries to star quarterback Sam Leavitt, among others, altered the direction of the season, but head coach Kenny Dillingham's team still managed to fight its way to an 8-4 record and a trip to the Sun Bowl.
The highlight of the regular season came when the Sun Devils upset Big 12 champion Texas Tech at home back in October.
The roster will look a bit different for the final game of the season. Star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has opted out. So have Raleek Brown, Keith Abney II, Keyshaun Elliott and a couple of others.
Players who didn't see a ton of snaps in the regular season will need to step up if Arizona State is going to take down the Blue Devils.
The good news? All the key interior pieces on both sides of the ball appear to be playing.
That includes defensive tackle C.J. Fite and defensive end Prince Dorbah, who both could have their way against a mediocre Duke offensive line.
Jeff Sims will once again start at quarterback, and while he's limited as a passer, the veteran should have plenty of opportunities to use his legs in this matchup.
If he can play a clean game, lean on his running backs and make some timely throws, there are paths to success for the ASU offense in El Paso.
Similarly, if the ASU front can wreak Havoc in the Duke backfield, the Blue Devil offense will struggle to move the ball up and down the field.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview: Expect Some Fireworks
It's been an absolutely crazy season for head coach Manny Diaz and Duke.
The Blue Devils lost three times in the nonconference portion of the season to Illinois, Tulane and UConn. They also won the ACC Championship.
How? Going 6-2 in conference play, winning a wild, multi-team ACC tiebreaker and then taking out Virginia in overtime in Charlotte in the title game.
If this bowl game is to be anything like the overall season, expect some absolute fireworks and bizarre sequences in West Texas.
Quarterback Darian Mensah announced he will be returning to Durham next season, which is massive news for the program and will obviously pay dividends for the matchup against ASU as well.
Defensive end Wesley Williams did declare for the draft, but it sounds like he'll play in this one.
There are a few key cogs that have opted out, including right tackle Brian Parker II and cornerback Chandler Rivers.
It will be paramount for the Duke offensive line to protect Mensah and give him enough time to find his weapons downfield against a somewhat vulnerable ASU secondary.
I expect the Sun Devils to blitz early and often in this matchup and give the Blue Devils a fair amount of exotic looks.
On the other side of the ball, Duke hasn't been great against the run, which could be problematic given that it will see a heavy dose of Sims and running back Kanye Udoh.
The turnover battle has been a major reason Duke has had unexpected wins and surprising losses all season. That will likely be the case again in this one. Mensah must take care of the ball.
Arizona State vs Duke Pick, Betting Analysis
There are some concerning opt-outs for the Sun Devils in this game, but not enough for me to not back ASU getting over a field goal against a Duke team that has played to its level of competition all season.
Arizona State should be able to win the battles in the trenches, allowing it to move the ball on the ground throughout the game.
The Sun Devils should also be able to generate some pressure on Mensah and force him to get rid of the ball quicker than he would like.
Most Duke games all year have involved a couple of bizarre turnover plays, so I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if this bowl game gets very chaotic at times.
With Dillingham returning to Tempe next season, he'll have the guys that are suiting up plenty motivated to cap off this season with a ninth victory.
Give me Arizona State to cover in a contest I give it a good chance of winning outright.
Pick: Arizona State +3.5
Arizona State vs Duke Betting Trends
