Fiesta Bowl 2014: Boise State vs. Arizona TV Info, Spread, Time and Injury News

Arizona's luxury of getting to play in a New Year's Six bowl so close to home is compromised by Boise State's Fiesta Bowl lore, and only one of those trends will have a happy ending Wednesday night in Glendale, Arizona.

Rich Rodriguez's Wildcats weren't able to make it 2-for-2 against Oregon and win the Pac-12, but the Ducks' inclusion in the College Football Playoff opened up Arizona's Fiesta Bowl bid.

For a team that played in the New Mexico and AdvoCare bowls in the last two years, the chance to play in its first Fiesta Bowl since 1993 should re-invigorate the Wildcats.

As for Boise State, this marks the program's third appearance in the last seven years. Along with the chance to go a perfect 3-0 in the Fiesta Bowl, the Broncos can add another memorable chapter to the storybook by knocking off yet another top-caliber foe.

It's easy to get lost in the New Year's Eve bowl mania, so take a look below to make sure you're ready for the always-dramatic Fiesta Bowl.

2014 VIZIO Fiesta Bowl

When: Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 4 p.m. ET

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Spread: Arizona -3

Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated Dec. 29

Fab Freshmen

Ben Margot/Associated Press

A pair of freshmen offensive dynamos have paved the way for one of Arizona's most successful seasons in program history.

The Wildcats offense has been potent all season, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon—who is playing the part of a veteran in this offense. He's thrown for 3,458 yards and 27 touchdowns, only tossing seven interceptions among them.

Those are superior numbers than many effective pocket passers, but he still maintains a dual-threat ability as Arizona's third-leading rusher. Escaping outside of the pocket proved tough down the stretch of the season, though, as he nursed an ankle sprain.

"It was really difficult," Solomon said of the pain down the stretch, per Fox Sports Arizona's Steve Rivera. "But for me to just keep telling myself that I can keep going on (and) don't give up on your team (was important). It was about being mentally strong. It was difficult because I (couldn't) do my part, making the defense play true. I (couldn't) be that dual threat kind of guy. I had to tough it out."

If he doesn't want to have much responsibility on the ground, he can lean on fellow freshman Nick Wilson.

Wilson has been an absolute workhorse this season, with an average of 5.9 yards per carry and 16 total touchdowns. Before a poor performance in the Oregon rematch, Wilson had a span of four games when he rushed for 163 yards per game and scored six total TDs.

While Wilson's spot toting the rock next season is pretty secure, quarterback is a cutthroat business—and Solomon will be intent on setting a tone for next season as Daniel Berk of Arizona Daily Star noted:

Oregon stymied both freshman in early December, but Rodriguez has had weeks to prepare, and Boise State—although strong against the run, at 35th nationally—isn't as formidable up front. But the morale is down in the Wildcats offense after that performance, and the Broncos are immensely confident after finishing the season on a tear.

Arizona's freshmen haven't been playing like freshmen for most of this season, but they're far from unstoppable. If the Broncos can force a couple of early stops, they could set the tone for the game.

Battle of the Back(er)s

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

Two sure-fire future NFL players will be lurking near the line of scrimmage, waiting to battle each other when Boise State is on offense—and a number of high-contact meetings are expected.

Broncos' bruising running back Jay Ajayi has been galloping through holes with ferocity all season, amassing 1,689 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. Although he has a gaudy 325 rushes this year (most in the nation), he still has a strong 5.2 yards-per-carry average.

All of his escaping past defensive linemen, though, will prove inconsequential if he can't get away from Scooby Wright III.

Even though he's just a sophomore, the Arizona linebacker raked in a plethora of national awards—including the Bednarik and Nagurski Awards (given to the top defensive player in college football). The 20-year-old uses his 245-pound frame to hit like a defensive end, while spanning the field like a ball-hawking safety.

Ajayi won't be the normal swift-footed type of back Wright is used to dealing with in the Pac-12, though, which the Wildcats star has already noticed, per KTVB's Jay Tust:

Boise State quarterback Grant Hedrick has led the offense magnificently, but it would be nowhere without Ajayi's consistent production and drive-sustaining rushes.

The same could be said of Wright's impact on the Arizona defense—he helps to hold up a unit that ranks 104th in total defense.

Ajayi has stood out to Wright, but Ajayi admitted the feeling has been mutual and he's excited to settle it on the field, per Dave Cooney of KOLD:

"

Boise St. RB Jay Ajayi says after 3 wks of UA film, Scooby owns the tape & added "We'll see who wins that battle Wed" pic.twitter.com/fBrAxlflYR

— Dave Cooney (@CooneyLand) December 29, 2014"

It might not be the last time these star players meet on the gridiron, but Wednesday will leave a lasting legacy for the collegiate careers of both—especially Ajayi, who is headed to the draft in April.

Team Injury News

Player	Pos.	Details	Status	Injury
Steven Gurrola	C	is expected to miss the first half	Suspended	Disciplinary
Adonis Smith	RB	is questionable for the bowl	Questionable	Concussion
Nate Phillips	WR	will miss remainder of the season	Out	Foot
DeAndre' Miller	LB	is questionable for the bowl	Questionable	Shoulder

Player	Pos.	Details	Status	Injury
Connor Peters	TE	is questionable for the bowl	Questionable	Leg
Chanceller James	S	will miss remainder of the season	Out	Knee

Note: Injury updates provided by The Sports Network, via USA Today.

Prediction

In a battle between two offenses that can get it done in a number of ways, whoever shows the most life on the defensive side will likely pull out the victory.

There's no doubt that is Boise State.

Arizona might play in a tougher conference, but that has only beaten up a Wildcats defense that Ajayi and Hedrick will be intent on gashing. Rodriguez and Co. have the weapons on offense to stay in the game, but struggles from the Oregon contest will resurface along with a Boise State defensive resurgence.

It won't take a miracle this time for Boise State to win the Fiesta Bowl.

Prediction: Boise State 34, Arizona 28