The sun (bowl) is our friend.

I had too much concern. The list of reasons to worry was a long one: Bradley Chubb opting to forego the game due to injury risk; fellow seniors Tony Adams and Mike Stevens sitting out due to injury; the notion—among us for sure if not the team—that NC State was a bit letdown by its bowl destination; Arizona State enjoying a geographic advantage; and, last but not least, the expectation that the Sun Devils would be motivated to send their lame duck coach, Todd Graham, out with a win all combined to make the 83^rd edition of the Sun Bowl seem like a trap.