The Arizona State Sun Devils are embracing their underdog status as they prepare to face the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1, 2025. Despite an impressive 11-2 season and a dominant 45-19 victory over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game, the Sun Devils enter the matchup as 12.5-point underdogs against the 12-2 Longhorns.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham has instilled a resilient mindset in his team, emphasizing that they are not content with merely reaching the Peach Bowl. “We’ve been the underdog all year,” offensive lineman Leif Fautanu noted. “That’s kind of what’s been fueling us.”
The Sun Devils’ offense is spearheaded by redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, who has demonstrated poise beyond his years. Leavitt’s connection with running back Cam Skattebo, who has issued a warning to Texas ahead of the game, will be crucial in challenging Texas’s defense.
Defensively, Arizona State boasts the sixth-best turnover margin in the nation (+14), a statistic that could prove pivotal against a Texas team ranked 39th in turnover margin (+6). The Sun Devils’ ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes has been a cornerstone of their success this season.
As the Sun Devils arrived in Atlanta, they expressed confidence and determination to defy expectations. “We know what people are saying, but that just adds fuel to our fire,” a team spokesperson remarked. “We’re here to compete and show that we belong on this stage.”
The upcoming Peach Bowl not only offers Arizona State a chance to advance to the semifinals but also an opportunity to solidify their status as a formidable force in college football. Their journey from underdogs to potential national contenders underscores the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport.
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Sun Devils can leverage their underdog status to orchestrate a significant upset against the favored Longhorns.