Fiesta Bowl 2014: Full Preview and Predictions for Boise State vs. Arizona

The No. 20 Boise State Broncos and the Fiesta Bowl have become quite the partners over the years, but 10th-ranked Arizona is intent on spoiling their reunion.

As the only ranked non-Power Five school in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Broncos were able to crash the New Year's Six party despite two losses. The Fiesta Bowl was an easy fit as the Broncos look to improve to 3-0 all-time in the game.

While Boise State has history and recent momentum on its side with eight straight wins, the Wildcats have a big proximity advantage. The fans in Boise will have to make a 900-mile trek to Glendale, Arizona, while it's just a two-hour trip up the road (125 miles) for University of Arizona students.

Let's break down everything you need to know and the biggest talking points heading into an enticing Fiesta Bowl.

What: 2014 VIZIO Fiesta Bowl

When: Wednesday, December 31

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Start Time (ET): 4 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Odds (via Odds Shark): Arizona -4 (as of Dec. 7)

Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Arizona

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Whenever Boise State and the Fiesta Bowl are mentioned in the same sentence, naturally only four words can follow: The Statue of Liberty.

But 2007 was a long time ago, and now the Broncos are looking to build their once-magical Fiesta Bowl success into a much more tangible 3-0 record in the game. They will have to essentially play a road game to pull that off, however.

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The trickeration is still alive and well in Boise, but the team's biggest strength this season is a predictable between-the-tackles rushing attack. Running back Jay Ajayi has been more than a workhorse, carrying 325 times on the season for 1,689 yards and 25 touchdowns—which all rank top five in the nation.

One stat tweeted by Boise State Football indicates he's on par with Heisman contender Melvin Gordon:

When teams inevitably pack the box to contain Ajayi, quarterback Grant Hedrick has been on point with a 70.9 percent completion percentage for the season. 

But will Arizona's defense need to pack the box? Walter Camp Award finalist Scooby Wright III captained a stingy Wildcat defensive front used to prolific offenses but was gashed for 301 yards (and 627 total) by the Oregon offense the last time out.

Arizona's offense has the biggest issues to sort out after the drubbing. After an ineffective start, freshman quarterback Anu Solomon left the game with an injury and replacement Jesse Scroggins III got himself replaced with poor play.

While hopes are down in Tucson following the loss, being selected for a big-time bowl should have Arizona invigorated, and the extra time will be crucial for offensive guru Rich Rodriguez, as he told Arizona Daily Star's Daniel Berk:

While many Wildcats fans may be batting their eyes at the chance to face a foe outside the Power Five, the equivocal home team will have its hands more than full with a confident and battle-tested Broncos squad.

Prediction

This one will come down to much more than another dose of Boise State magic in the desert, although a helping of that should also be expected.

Rodriguez's team is built on a multifaceted offense, but it will be a shell of itself with the quarterback position a mess. The defense hasn't been holding up, allowing 86 points in the last two games. 

The Broncos hung tight for most of the game against a now-proven Ole Miss team in Week 1, and this is a much more complete team than the one that faced the Rebels. No strangers to the spotlight, Boise State will show up and hold off an inevitable Wildcats surge.

Prediction: Boise State wins, 37-31