Texas is a 12.5-point favorite against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.
ATLANTA — We started with 12 teams for the first time ever in the CFP, and after a first round of generally uncompetitive games, we’re down to eight.
Penn State and Boise State kick off the second round on New Years Eve, then Texas-Arizona State will start a triple-header to ring in the New Year.
The Longhorns are in their second straight CFP appearance, and they’ve now got a playoff win under their belt. Arizona State are playing in their first ever CFP game after securing a top four seed and first round bye as Big 12 champions (fourth-highest ranked conference champ this year).
Texas and Arizona State will square off in the Peach Bowl, which is being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It’s the second time in a month Texas has played a game in this venue after losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship, and also the second time that Bevo will not be in attendance.
Texas vs. Arizona State | TV channel, game time and storylines
- Time: Wednesday, Jan. 1 at noon CT (1 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. MT / 10 a.m. PT)
- Channel: ESPN
- Key matchup: Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo vs. Texas’ defensive front. Skattebo put together a dynamic season, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting while becoming one of the rare players in FBS history to total 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He has rushed for 1,568 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry while scoring 19 touchdowns on the ground. But the Longhorns figure to present a much tougher challenge than Skattebo faced in the Big 12. Texas ranks 11th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 104.5 yards per game.
- Players to watch:
- Texas: CB Jahdae Barron. The Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back, the senior leads the Longhorns with five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. If Barron and the rest of Texas’ stellar secondary can shut down Arizona State’s passing game, the Sun Devils would be hard-pressed to move the ball effectively even with Skattebo leading the way.
- Arizona State: QB Sam Leavitt boasted that he’s the better quarterback in his matchup with Texas counterpart Quinn Ewers. Now, Leavitt has to back up his bravado. After transferring from Michigan State, the redshirt freshman played a key role in the Sun Devils’ remarkable turnaround this season. He has completed 63.2% of his passes for 2,663 yards, with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Leavitt is also a threat to run the ball, totaling 383 yards and five TDs.
- Series record: Texas leads 1-0 (52-34 win in 2007 Holiday Bowl).
- What’s next: The winner advances to the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 at Arlington, Texas, to face either Oregon or Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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