Arizona State Football: 5 bold predictions for Sun Devils vs NC State in Sun Bowl

One of the nation’s oldest bowl games features two programs headed in different directions. Here are five bold predictions for the 2017 Sun Bowl.

More: Complete 2017-2018 bowl schedule

Though they were separated by just a single loss in the standings, it felt like NC State and Arizona State had vastly different twists and turns to their 2017 seasons. While the Wolfpack seemed to overachieve, the Sun Devils never seemed to get in a rhythm. Even though both teams finished second in their respective Power Five divisions, NC State seemed far more stable getting there.

Even though Arizona State finished behind only USC in the Pac-12 South, they will bid adieu to their head coach after the Sun Bowl. Todd Graham has already been given his walking papers, but has been allowed to stick around to lead Arizona State in El Paso. It is an odd way to end Graham’s tenure, but then again the entire timeline of events around the Sun Devils coaching position has been unorthodox over the past month.

How motivated will each team be to play in one of the nation’s oldest bowl games? The Sun Bowl dates back to the same era as the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl as part of the second wave of bowl games. NC State has never played in this bowl game, while Arizona State is one of the most frequent participants. The Sun Devils are currently 3-1-1 in five previous appearances.

What will transpire between Arizona State and the Wolfpack when the two teams meet at the Sun Bowl on Friday afternoon? Keep reading for five bold predictions about the classic postseason battle.