The College Football Playoff (CFP) will resume this week with four exciting and high-stakes matchups as teams battle for a spot in the semifinals. These games will serve as a crucial stepping stone for teams looking to advance to the ultimate goal of winning the National Championship. The action kicks off on Tuesday with Penn State facing Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, followed by a key matchup on Wednesday between Texas and Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. The slate of games continues with Ohio State taking on Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and Notre Dame squaring off against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
These four matchups will determine the teams that advance to the semifinals on January 9 and 10, with the National Championship to be decided on January 20 in Atlanta. As the games loom closer, the excitement builds, and fans eagerly await the outcomes that will shape the rest of the postseason.
Texas Looking to End Arizona State’s Season
One of the most intriguing matchups in this opening round of the CFP is the Peach Bowl, where Texas will face Arizona State. This game is particularly compelling because it pits the last two Big 12 champions against one another. For Texas, this marks their first year as an SEC team, and while they performed well in their inaugural season in the new conference, they were ultimately just shy of the SEC title after falling to Georgia in a heartbreaking overtime loss. That defeat was a bitter pill for the Longhorns to swallow, but their overall performance during the season earned them a spot in the CFP, with many fans and analysts believing they have the tools to go all the way.
Despite missing out on the SEC championship, Texas remains one of the most potent teams in college football. The Longhorns have talent across the board, from their dynamic offense to a defense that has proven capable of holding its own against some of the best teams in the country. The Peach Bowl will offer Texas the chance to showcase its strength and further solidify its place among the nation’s elite teams.
In contrast, Arizona State comes into the matchup as a team that has had a strong, yet slightly more unpredictable season. After a solid run through the Pac-12, the Sun Devils will be looking to make a statement and end Texas’ season on a high note. Arizona State is led by quarterback Cam Skattebo, who has been the engine driving the offense all year. Skattebo’s dual-threat abilities—both with his arm and his legs—have made him a dangerous weapon for opposing defenses to contain. However, the Sun Devils face a tall task in trying to match up against the high-powered Texas offense, which will look to prove they belong among the country’s best.
Texas enters the Peach Bowl with expectations of a deep playoff run, and their performance in the opening round will be a key indicator of how well they can handle the pressure. With quarterback Quinn Ewers leading the offense, and weapons like Xavier Worthy and Bijan Robinson ready to take over, the Longhorns are capable of putting up big numbers. Ewers, despite battling injuries throughout the season, is healthy for the postseason, and if he plays at his best, Texas is a tough team to beat. Their defense, which has been stout all year, will need to contain Skattebo and prevent Arizona State from mounting a strong offensive attack.
For Arizona State, the Peach Bowl represents a golden opportunity to upset one of the favorites in the College Football Playoff. Skattebo will need to be at the top of his game if the Sun Devils are to stand a chance. The key for Arizona State will be to control the tempo of the game, limit turnovers, and capitalize on any mistakes Texas makes. Skattebo will be asked to make plays both through the air and on the ground, as the Sun Devils will need to keep the Longhorns’ defense guessing. Arizona State also needs to execute well in all phases of the game, particularly special teams, and capitalize on field position to keep Texas from pulling away.
Texas’ Path to Victory
Looking at how Texas can secure the win in the Peach Bowl, the key will be their offensive line’s performance against the Arizona State defense. Texas’ offensive line has been solid all year, and if they can provide adequate protection for Ewers while also creating running lanes for Robinson, the Longhorns will have the advantage. If Ewers has time in the pocket, he is capable of picking apart any defense with his strong arm and playmaking ability. The combination of Ewers’ deep passing ability and Robinson’s explosive running could be too much for Arizona State to handle.
Additionally, the Texas defense will need to contain Skattebo and limit his big plays. Skattebo’s dual-threat capabilities make him difficult to defend, and Texas’ defensive line and linebackers will need to be disciplined in keeping him from breaking off long runs or finding open receivers down the field. Texas’ secondary has been strong all season, and their ability to shut down Skattebo’s passing attack will be key to the Longhorns’ success. If they can pressure Skattebo early and often, the Sun Devils will struggle to keep pace with the Longhorns’ offense.
Arizona State’s Path to Victory
On the flip side, Arizona State will need to pull off an upset by executing a near-perfect game plan. First and foremost, they must keep the ball away from Texas’ offense. Skattebo will need to manage the game carefully and avoid turnovers that would give Texas a short field to work with. Arizona State’s offensive line must play their best game of the season to give Skattebo time in the pocket and help open running lanes.
Defensively, Arizona State’s task is daunting: they need to slow down the Texas offense, particularly Robinson. The Sun Devils will need to stack the box against the run and focus on shutting down the Longhorns’ power running game. The pressure on Skattebo to make plays through the air will increase if Arizona State can’t slow down the ground attack.
If Arizona State can control the clock, get a few key stops on defense, and avoid mistakes, they might be able to pull off the upset. However, the task ahead of them is monumental, as they’ll be facing one of the most complete teams in the playoff.
Looking Ahead
As the Peach Bowl approaches, all eyes will be on Texas and Arizona State as they square off for a spot in the semifinals. With the Longhorns looking to make a statement after their near-miss in the SEC Championship, they will enter the game as the favorites, but Arizona State’s upset potential can never be underestimated.
No matter the outcome, this matchup will be a thrilling start to the College Football Playoff as teams vie for a chance to compete for the National Championship on January 20 in Atlanta. Texas will need to stay focused and execute on both sides of the ball to move one step closer to their ultimate goal of capturing the national title.
