Boise State vs. Arizona State Football: Who Needs To Show Up for Sun Devils?

This Thursday, the Arizona State Sun Devils will be pitted against the Boise State Broncos in the MAACO Bowl in Las Vegas, Nev. The desert isn't unfamiliar grounds for ASU, so it is going to have to hope some of its most important players play as if they were back in Tempe.

This season, the Sun Devils didn't fare too well on the road. The Sun Devils finished the season 6-6, but four of those losses came on the road. At home, the Sun Devils were a dominant 5-2, with their only losses coming at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats and the Cal Golden Bears during the last two weeks of the regular season.

For the most part, the Sun Devils were dominant at home. They defeated the USC Trojans and Missouri Tigers, two important wins that got people talking about the Sun Devils.

These players are going to need to lead the team just like they did at home this season.

Running Back Cameron Marshall

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cameron Marshall was an inconsistent stud this season.

While he did run for 1,038 yards on 203 attempts with 18 touchdowns, many would argue that Marshall could have had a much bigger season.

Ankle injuries hampered the potential All-American from exploding on the scene, but when he is hot, he is unable to be stopped.

In Marshall's last game against the Cal Golden Bears, he went off for 157 yards on 23 carries. He also had two touchdowns that game. If Marshall can continue to play at that level, he should be able to help the Sun Devils move the ball against the Broncos.

Kick Returner Jamal Miles

Jamal Miles is extremely important to the Arizona State Sun Devils' effort this Thursday against the Boise State Broncos because he can do so much on the field.

For one, he is a quick, agile wide receiver. He can blow past the secondary, but his size tends to hamper potential big-time plays.

More importantly, Miles is a threat to take back any kickoff or punt. On the season, Miles has over 1,000 return yards and has brought back three kicks for touchdowns.

If the Sun Devils are in need of any type of game-changing moment, they are going to need Miles to make some big-time plays, whether that be on special teams or in the offensive game plan.

Middle Linebacker Vontaze Burfict

The Arizona State Sun Devils haven't been clear on whether or not middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict will play this week against the Boise State Broncos.

Burfict is the leader and most important piece of the Sun Devils defense, but he has been a problem all season in the penalty department. Burfict plays the game extremely hard, but sometimes that results in a negative outcome for the Sun Devils when on defense.

Head coach Dennis Erickson hasn't been clear on where he stands with his disgruntled linebacker, but considering this will be Erickson's last game with the Sun Devils, he just might not really care whether or not Burfict hits the field.

Burfict is a game-changer, and without him on defense the Sun Devils don't stand much of a chance of stopping the Broncos' pass and rush attacks. While the Sun Devils are potentially relieving themselves of penalties, they are also shooting themselves in the foot by holding out their biggest threat.

Kicker Alex Garoutte

The Arizona State Sun Devils are going to need kicker Alex Garoutte to show up against the Boise State Broncos.

It has been Garoutte who has missed seven field goals this year, a number that is utterly difficult for one to grasp.

Garoutte is a freshman, but he needs to come into the game against the Broncos with ice flowing through his veins. Otherwise, the moment might get to him, and it could result in potentially a game-losing field-goal attempt.

This game is more important to Garoutte than anyone else. With a new coach coming in next season, he needs to prove that he can sustain this job. Otherwise, he remains extremely expendable.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler

Brock Osweiler is arguably the most important piece of this Arizona State Sun Devils squad.

Osweiler has led the Sun Devils pass attack and has picked up the offense when the running game has been sluggish from time to time.

Through 12 games this season, Osweiler is averaging 303.4 yards per game. On top of that, he has thrown 24 touchdowns while also throwing 12 interceptions. While the turnovers could be reduced, the majority of them came in bunches against single teams.

Against the Arizona Wildcats, Osweiler threw for 487 yards on 63 attempts. He only threw one touchdown in that game, but he proved that he can make things happen with his arm this late in the season.

The Sun Devils will need their star quarterback to be at the top of his game against Boise State. If Osweiler struggles, then the entire offense will likely struggle as well.