Christian Sam only allows himself to be marginally happy about the way his junior season is going at Arizona State.
Yes, the inside linebacker is leading the Pac-12 in tackles and solo tackles per game and among the top 10 nationally in both categories. But playing in the Rose Bowl is what it's all about for Sam, and that's not going to happen this season since the Rose will host a College Football Playoff semifinal and ASU at 4-4 is not in the running.
Even winning the Pac-12 South is unlikely after last week's loss to USC.