GAME NOTES: The 12th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils and the 17th-ranked Texas Longhorns square off for the first-time ever this Thursday, as they meet in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Under first-year head coach Dennis Erickson, the Sun Devils overachieved, finishing the regular season with 10 wins and earning a share of the Pac-10 Conference championship. The successful regular slate landed ASU in its fourth straight bowl game, and the 23rd ever. The Sun Devils are 12-9-1 all-time in the postseason and they are in search of their first Holiday Bowl win in this, their third try. The team last participated in the Holiday Bowl in 2002, when it was downed by Kansas State, 34-17. As for Texas, its brings a 9-3 ledger into the contest, marking the 10th straight season the team has won at least nine games. The 'Horns are making their 10th straight bowl appearance and that is a school record, bettering the previous mark of nine in a row from 1977-85. Coach Mack Brown's club has posted victories in five of its last six bowl games and that includes a 41-38 triumph over USC to win the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl in 2006. Overall, Texas sports a 23-21-2 record in bowl games and that takes into account its 1-2 mark in the Holiday Bowl.

Offensively, the Sun Devils have been nothing short of solid this season, as they are scoring 32.2 ppg behind 405.7 total ypg. The team has done a respectable job rushing the ball, churning out 146.6 ypg, but it has done even better passing it, doing so for 259.1 ypg. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter has put together a sound campaign, hitting 63 percent of his passes for 251.2 ypg. He has thrown for 23 touchdowns with just eight interceptions, and those numbers are even more impressive when considering that ASU has given up a whopping 51 sacks thus far. Although he hasn't caught a touchdown pass yet, Chris McGaha has been one of Carpenter's favorite targets, leading the team in catches (52) and receiving yards (751). Michael Jones ranks second with 38 receptions and 662 yards, and he has been the primary option in the red zone, pulling down a team-best eight touchdown passes. As for the ground attack, it is paced by Keegan Herring, who has amassed 816 yards in averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He has also accounted for five of the team's 17 rushing touchdowns.

Defensively, the Sun Devils have been every bit as good as their offensive counterparts, holding opponents to 20.1 ppg and 334.4 total ypg. The unit has been especially stingy against the run, yielding 100.9 ypg and only seven touchdowns. ASU has been a bit vulnerable against the pass (233.5 ypg), but it has been able to compensate for some of the yards allowed by recording 17 interceptions. The defense has even done a respectable job getting to the quarterback, posting 27 sacks. Dexter Davis has played the biggest part in the team's ability to get into the backfield, as he leads the Sun Devils in sacks (10.5) as well as TFLs (13.5). Robert James heads the club with 99 tackles and he also has six picks to his credit, but Troy Nolan tops the roster with six interceptions.

The Sun Devils defense will surely be put to the test by the Texas offense, which is racking up 36.0 ppg and 462.0 total ypg. What makes the Longhorns so potent is their balance, as they are rushing for 199.8 ppg and passing for another 262.2 ypg. The 'Horns have also been highly successful on third down, converting 48.0 percent of the time. A semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, tailback Jamaal Charles has had a magnificent season, rolling up 1,458 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead Texas. He is averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per carry and he has also caught 15 balls for another 188 yards. Quarterback Colt McCoy followed up a tremendous 2006 campaign with solid showing this season. The talented gunslinger has completed 64.9 percent of his throws for 260.8 ypg and 21 touchdowns, although he has been intercepted (18) far too often. Still, McCoy is a dual threat, as he is also dangerous when the ball is tucked away, rushing for 408 yards and three scores. Nate Jones and Quan Cosby give McCoy options down the field as the duo has combined for 123 catches, 1,373 yards and 10 touchdowns.

On defense, Texas lacked consistency this season and it comes into this bout allowing 24.6 ppg and 374.8 total ypg. The unit has been difficult to run against (99.3 ypg), but it has been torched through the air, surrendering 275.5 ypg. Forcing turnovers hasn't been a great strength of the unit either, as the 'Horns have recorded a modest 22 takeaways, with 14 coming in the form of interceptions. The defense though, has had some success bringing down opposing quarterbacks, registering 25 sacks. Marcus Griffin leads the team in tackles with 97 and he is tied for first in picks with three. Lamarr Houston and Frank Okam have been the players in charge of getting pressure in the backfield and they have combined for 9.5 sacks and 21 TFLs.

Both teams appear to be pretty evenly matched and that should make for an entertaining affair. Texas, however, has a little more to offer on offense and that is why the 'Horns are the pick here.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas 31, Arizona State 27