2017 SUN BOWL – NC STATE vs ARIZONA ST
NC STATE -7 ARIZONA ST (60)
MEGALOCKS LINE – NC State -5
Sagarin ratings – NC State -5
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: NC State 33.5 Arizona St 26.5
The Game
It’s classic bowl game time, yo. The SUN BOWL is here.
The Wolfpack had their sights on an ACC division crown but got stuck behind the JUGGERNAUT Clemson Tigers. An 8-4 campaign is nothing to be ashamed of and they have a great shot of hitting the Dave Doeren high-water mark with 9 wins. Arizona St has been a bit of a puzzle (stop us if you have heard that before) but did manage to take down Washington and Utah. They sit with a record of 7-5 and look to bag their 8th win in Todd Graham’s last appearance as HC before Herm Edwards takes over. Let’s roll !!
The Match-Up
NC State offense vs Arizona St defense
The Sun Devils are going to have their hands full. The Pack have a really good balanced offense (#51 rush, #29 pass) led by QB Ryan Finley (3,200, 64%, 16 TD passes). They boast a 1,000 yard RB (N Hines), a soon-to-be 1,000 yard WR (K Harmon) and a really dangerous SLASH in Jaylen Samuels (383 rushing yards, 69 receptions). The Pack have struggled in the red zone (#123) but you have to figure that their offense will have good times going up against a poor Arizona St defense (#109). The Sun Devils played a pair of shockingly good defensive games mid-campaign allowing just 7 and 10 points to Washington and Utah respectively. It seems like a tall order to ask Arizona St to slow down the Wolfpack, but then again, it is bowl season.
Arizona St offense vs NC State defense
The Sun Devils have all the tools in the toolbox necessary to give the Wolfpack a game. QB Manny Wilkins has almost 3,000 yards passing with just 5 INT in 370 attempts. Their 1-2 combo at RB (D Richard, K Ballage) have 1,600 yards rushing and 18 TDs. They also boast a #1 WR in N’Keal Harry that bagged 1,000 yards receiving. The yuuuuuge question mark in this game is the status of NC State defensive star Nick Chubb who has record double digit sacks in back-to-back seasons. He may skip the game for “NFL draft prep purposes”, and while it is always dangerous to overstate the impact of one player, Chubb is one of the best defensive players in college football and the heart of their defense. Our ACC INSIDERS doubt that he will play but you NEVER know these days. NC State can be roasted in the passing game if they do not get to the QB and that is a big concern. They also allow over 40% conversions on third downs. Bottom line ? Arizona St can put the hurt on if NC State does not come to play.
Motivation / Intangibles
NC State – Playing in the Sun Bowl ? Hmm. 9 wins would be nice but they had bigger plans.
Grade – Below Average.
Arizona St – This is one of the trickiest reads we have come across. Todd Graham is no longer the coach after this game. Do the players give it 110% max effort or mail it in ? The good news is that Arizona St has good Sun Bowl history.
Grade – It’s a guess. We think they play hard for Graham. Therefore – Good !
MEGA BOWL BITES
Arizona St can boast four wins over bowl teams whilst NC State has three (BC, Marshall, Louisville).
Summary
We were originally interested in NC State but now cannot help think that Arizona St has the horses to play with these guys. ESPECIALLY if they bring a little extra juice for soon-to-be-former HC Todd Graham.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Best play on the game: Arizona St +7 for at least small potatoes (should be able to get +7 -112 to +7 -115 as we go to press)