There’s added buzz among college football fans in the Valley this year, with Arizona State set to make its playoff debut.
Although the Sun Devils will be playing in Atlanta, a big week of football kicks off locally on Thursday, with the Rate Bowl in downtown Phoenix.
Rutgers and Kansas State will square off Chase Field, both teams trying to end their season on a high note.
The stakes get bigger in Glendale on New Year’s Eve, with the Fiesta Bowl hosting a playoff game between Boise State and Penn State.
Erik Moses with the Fiesta Sports Foundation said no matter which team wins, this will be a historic event.
"The VRBO Fiesta Bowl will be the first ever college football playoff quarterfinal this year in our expanded twelve-team format," he said.
The Rate and Fiesta Bowls draw thousands of people to the Grand Canyon State each year, and Moses said they're responsible for a significant economic boost to Arizona.
"Together with our two bowl games and our parade, we are responsible for in excess of 200 million dollars in positive economic impact to the state of Arizona each year," he said.
The Fiesta Bowl will be followed by three other quarterfinals on New Year’s Day – including ASU’s showdown in Atlanta against Texas.
