Fiesta Bowl 2014: Schedule, Players to Watch in Boise State vs. Arizona

The 2014-15 college football bowl season has already treated fans to plenty of offensive fireworks, staving off the creeping feeling that the non-College Football Playoff postseason affairs would fade into irrelevancy with the new system in place.

For fans eager for what could be another explosive contest, look no further than Boise State vs. Arizona in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.

Both teams feature remarkably balanced offenses. Boise State averages 39.8 points per game, while Arizona scores 34.8 points per contest.

The defenses for both sides don't particularly stand out among the other top units in the vast college football landscape, which could make for an entertaining, high-scoring duel.

Arizona, by virtue of playing in the Pac-12, has faced much tougher competition this season, but the Broncos should come out ready to showcase their talent and remind everyone the Power Five conferences don't hold all the cards.

Spectacular individual performances should abound in this contest, but it's best to key in on a select few who will have a significant impact on this game.

Here is a look at the viewing schedule for the Fiesta Bowl, followed by a quick rundown of three players to watch on Wednesday.

Fiesta Bowl 2014 Schedule

Matchup: Boise State vs. Arizona

When: Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Players to Watch

Jay Ajayi

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

Boise State features a number of talented players on offense, but the entire attack flows through running back Jay Ajayi, an elusive runner with ball-bearing joints and excellent power contained within his 6'0", 216-pound frame.

The junior's numbers stacked up with those of some of the best backs in the nation. Especially when it comes to getting involved in the passing game, where Ajayi blows away the other top rusher's numbers.

Player	School	CAR	RSH YDS	YPC	RSH TD	REC	REC YDS	REC TD
Melvin Gordon	Wisconsin	309	2336	7.6	26	17	151	3
Tevin Coleman	Indiana	270	2036	7.5	15	25	141	0
Donnel Pumphrey	SDSU	276	1867	6.8	20	23	160	0
Devon Johnson	Marshall	206	1767	8.6	17	6	121	2
Jay Ajayi	Boise State	325	1689	5.2	25	45	536	4

He's a true menace in the red zone and will be key to the Broncos' chances of staying in this competition early on as they establish a presence. Twenty-three of Ajayi's touchdowns came within 19 yards of the end zone, per ESPN.com.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projects him to go in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft:

Considering this is Ajayi's last game at Boise State, fans who haven't yet had the pleasure of watching him tear up colleges defenses need to tune in. There's no telling what his pro career holds, and greatness can be fleeting.

Ajayi is one college player you don't want to miss.

Scooby Wright III

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The Wildcats defense is hardly special, but it does feature one truly elite player in linebacker Scooby Wright III. The sophomore linebacker had a truly bonkers season from a statistical standpoint.

G	Tackles	Solo	Assisted	TFL	Sacks	FF
13	153	89	64	27	14	6

The highlight of his collegiate career thus far was undoubtedly his strip sack and fumble recovery of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in 'Zona's 31-24 win over the Pac-12 champs on Oct. 2.

Wright's hard-nosed, intense playing style stems from a desire to prove his doubters wrong, as he was just a 2-star recruit coming out of high school, via Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman:

"

As a recruit two years ago, Wright was deemed a two-star prospect. Deep down he hated it, but in a way he loves it now. Wright uses it. The whole "TwoStarScoob" thing serves as a constant reminder of a time when no one expected him to be great or even wanted him on their football team. Thanks to a whole lot of grit, Wright’s proved all those naysayers wrong. 

"I definitely had a chip on my shoulder 'cause I always wanted to play with great pride," he said. "It definitely motivated me to extra work and prove all the doubters wrong."

"

At this point, Wright's name probably pops up at the top of every opponent's scouting report. The awards brigade has taken notice of his extraordinary season, as well. Wright won the Bednarik, Lombardi and Nagurski awards this year and was named a unanimous All-American.

It won't be easy, but if Wright can pop up in key moments and perhaps force a turnover or two, he could very well be the player who saves the game for Arizona.

Grant Hedrick

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

Arizona's Anu Solomon had a superb season at quarterback, so don't expect him to have trouble putting together a solid game through the air. That makes Boise State's Grant Hedrick the signal-caller to watch.

Hedrick is a solid passer who completed 270 of 381 passes for 3,387 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He's also proven to be quite adept at running the ball, racking up 563 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

His composure in this contest will be key to the Broncos' ability to keep pace with the Wildcats' high-octane attack, the brainchild of head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Hedrick was mostly cool and composed this season but did have a couple of truly bad performances.

He threw four interceptions against both Ole Miss and Air Force, the only two teams to beat the Broncos this season. He has been mostly brilliant in the latter half of the season, however, posting efficiency ratings above 200 in three of the team's last six games.

Considering the Broncos are unlikely to stifle Arizona's attack, Hedrick will have to put his best foot forward in this contest to give Boise State a shot at winning.