CFB Bowl Preview 2025: Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl

By Simon Carroll

Bowl season is in full swing and we will be previewing some of the bigger matchups over the next couple of weeks. This year’s Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl will be contested between the Arizona State Sun Devils and Duke Blue Devils. Simon Carroll takes a look at the key matchups.

Where and When

The Arizona State Sun Devils will take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas on Wednesday 31st December at 2pm ET/7pm UK time. The game is being broadcast by CBS in the States, and might be available to watch for UK viewers via the CBS website.

Story So Far...

Located in El Paso, Texas, the Sun Bowl is home to the UTEP Miners as well as the second oldest bowl game in college football, sitting behind only the famous Rose Bowl in tenure. Since 2010 the game has typically hosted a team from both the ACC and the Pac-10, although ‘legacy teams’ from the latter, rebuilt program have also been considered, as is the case this season.

Sponsored by Kellogs since 2019, the Bowl has been officially called the ‘Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl’ for the last three years, and has enjoyed some iconic games in it’s history – including the ‘fog bowl’ in 1974 and the only 0-0 tie in bowl history.

One of the teams in that scoreless game was Arizona State, although their official title back in 1940 was ‘Arizona State Teachers College at Tempe’. They return to the Mexico border in 2025 after another strong season under third year coach Kenny Dillingham. The Sun Devil alum had the program in the playoffs in 2024, and despite missing their star quarterback for a chunk of this year backed it up with another 8 wins this campaign. Dillingham has committed himself to ASU despite interest from elsewhere, meaning the future is bright in Tempe.

They will go up against ACC champions Duke, who somehow managed to win their conference despite suffering five losses this season. That quirk raises more questions about conference realignment and the ACC’s tiebreaker system than it does about the Blue Devil’s season under Manny Diaz; their head coach has done incredible work having his program punching with the big boys despite it traditionally being a basketball school. Diaz will want his team to finish strong and show the playoff committee they were worthy of consideration.

The Quarterbacks

ARIZONA STATE: Jeff Sims

Losing your quarterback for five of twelve games in your season was a challenge that Arizona State deftly navigated. So it would have undoubtedly been a blow when Sam Leavitt signalled his intention to hit the transfer portal next month. One of the best signal callers in the nation, Leavitt will not participate in the bowl game, allowing Jeff Sims to play one more game for the Sun Devils before his college career comes to an end.

Sims is an extremely experienced quarterback, having started three seasons at Georgia Tech from 2020 to 2022. He arrived in Tempe after a year in Nebraska, and capably backed up Leavitt this year. In five starts this season, Sims has ten touchdowns and more than 1,300 total yards. A dual threat QB, Sims is probably more dangerous with his legs than his arm – see the Iowa State game for details. His unique skillset will pose a challenge for Duke’s defense.

DUKE: Darian Mensah

After deciding to play one more year of college football before heading to the NFL, Darian Mensah is expected to play in the Sun Bowl. This is a big boost for Duke, as Mensah has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the nation in 2025. 3,646 yards and 30 touchdowns are stat lines in the same tiers as the likes of Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, and are all the more impressive considering it’s Mensah’s first year with the Blue Devils after transferring from Tulane.

Mensah is turnover averse, with just three interceptions in his last ten games. His full grasp of Duke’s offense is a key reason for their conference success in 2025, and hopes will be high that they can kick on now he’s returning for next season. A  pure pocket passer, Mensah doesn’t offer a threat with his legs, but will still be a difficult prospect for Brian Ward’s defense to keep in check.

Who to Watch

ARIZONA STATE

Malik McClain, Wide Receiver – the Sun Devils have been hit with a barrage of opt outs, including star receiver Jordyn Tyson, tight end Chamon Metayer, running back Raleek Brown and linebacker Keyhaun Elliott, who are all likely to make NFL rosters. So how about a speedy weapon who might embrace an increased workload amidst all the absentees?

Malilk McClain has had to be patient in his college career, failing to make a significant dent in the depth charts at either Florida State or Penn State. 2025 has seen him find his niche as the x receiver in the ASU offense, frequently taking the top off defenses. Still awaiting his first score of the season, McClain is averaging an increible 17.2 yards per catch this year, showing his big play ability. With Tyson and Metayer opting out, will Wednesday finally be the day he hits paydirt?

DUKE

Caleb Weaver, Safety – Duke’s defense has been afflicted with a similar opt-out epidemic as their opponents, with star players Chandler Rivers and edge rusher Vincent Anthony both making preparations for the NFL Draft. But one senior has committed to playing for the bowl game, and that’s ultra-productive safety Caleb Weaver.

Weaver has been a revelation in the Blue Devil’s secondary since transferring in from Sam Houston State last offseason, making an impact all over the field. His 81 total tackles leads the team, whilst also thriving as a blitzer with two sacks and making plays in coverage, logging three pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. Weaver will be relishing taking on a backup quarterback.

Prediction

It’s not often I go against a Big 12 school, particularly one as well coached and as talented as Kenny Dillingham’s Arizona State. But Duke are a tricky team to play against, have gotten better as the season has progressed, and feel like they have a point to prove after being omitted from the playoffs in favour of James Madison.

Throw in all the opt outs for the Sun Devils, and I’m erring towards a Blue Devils victory amidst the beautiful Franklin Mountains backdrop. This is one of my favourite bowl games of every year, a glorious sight as the sun sets. Give me Duke in a close one.

ARIZONA STATE 28-30 DUKE

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

LEAD WRITER, HEAD OF CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, COVERS COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR DAZN AND THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION.

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