Stanford Selected to 2016 Sun Bowl, Will Play UNC

Stanford became a staple of the Rose Bowl in recent history, having appeared in three of the past four years. It seems fitting that if Stanford can't be in the Granddaddy of Them All, at least it would find a place in a bowl game tied for the second-oldest in existence. The three other bowls as old or older than the Sun Bowl (Rose, Orange, Sugar) are all now a part of the New Year's Six.

Stanford will play North Carolina in the Sun Bowl, per Robby Kalland of CBS Sports.

How Did We Get Here?

For the first time this season, Stanford was favored during the preseason to win the Pac-12 Championship by both the Pac-12 media and the oddsmakers. Although Stanford's running game was still dominant and…