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

2. Look out for Nyheim Hines as NC State has big special teams plays

The player who stood out most during NC State’s rise to national prominence this year was Nyheim Hines. The junior finally got his shot to star in the backfield for the Wolfpack, and Hines seized it with gusto. Hines finished the regular season with 1040 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 181 carries. The former receiver added 25 catches for 124 yards.

Arizona State was just below middle of the road in terms of its rushing defense in 2017, giving up just over 175 yards per game to rank 78th nationally. Hines should have no trouble getting his sixth 100-yard performance of the season against the Sun Devils. He could also snag a couple of passes in the game as Ryan Finley spreads the ball around.

Where Hines has always stood out most for NC State, though, is on special teams. The crafty veteran, who also features on the Wolfpack track team, has racked up more than 2100 kick return yards over the past three seasons. Even with the increased load in the backfield, Hines also added punt return duties to his repertoire this season.

Over the course of his 11 punt returns, Hines averaged 12.8 yards per return and scored a 92-yard touchdown against Pitt in October. He will get to face off against one of the weaker Power Five teams in terms of both punt and kickoff return defense. It could be just what keeps the Wolfpack in a wild game that otherwise looks ready to burst open for Arizona State.