As Texas football looks toward its first national championship since 2005, the College Football Playoff (CFP) presents the Longhorns with a critical challenge in Atlanta. The Longhorns will face Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, in the quarterfinals. This is a matchup that not only carries historical significance but also represents the Longhorns’ path to securing a spot in the semifinals and potentially their first national title in nearly two decades.
The game is set in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the same venue where Texas suffered a tough loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game. However, now in 2025, Texas has already made history by entering the CFP as an SEC team after a tough transition to a new conference. Arizona State, a former Pac-12 team now in the Big 12, will look to prove it’s no fluke despite early predictions that the Sun Devils would finish near the bottom of the standings. These two teams have shown resilience and growth in their respective conferences, but now it’s time for them to shine on the playoff stage.
Texas, fresh off a first-round win over Clemson, enters this quarterfinal matchup looking to keep their title hopes alive. On the other hand, Arizona State earned a bye week after winning their conference as the No. 4 seed. The Sun Devils, led by a standout player in Cam Skattebo, will look to continue their historic run. For Texas to advance, they must first stop Skattebo and his all-purpose attack.
Key to Victory: Slow Down Cam Skattebo
The Texas Longhorns’ first key to victory in the quarterfinals is clear: stop Cam Skattebo. Skattebo has been a force for Arizona State all season, helping propel them to an unexpected conference championship. The Sacramento State transfer has been the driving force behind the Sun Devils’ offensive success. His 263 rushing attempts for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns show his effectiveness as the team’s main ball carrier. But he’s not just a running back—he’s also a key receiver, with 37 catches for 506 yards and three touchdowns.
Skattebo has shown time and again this season that he is capable of taking over a game. His confidence is evident, as he famously said, “There’s nobody out there that can stop me.” This kind of attitude should not be taken lightly by Texas’ defense. If the Longhorns can manage to stop Skattebo’s momentum early in the game, it will significantly hinder Arizona State’s offensive game plan.
Stopping Skattebo isn’t an easy task. He is a dual-threat player with the ability to make plays on the ground and through the air. To slow him down, the Texas defense will need to rely on both their defensive line and linebackers. The defensive line must win the battle at the line of scrimmage, getting penetration into the backfield to disrupt Skattebo’s runs. Meanwhile, the linebackers must stay disciplined, not allowing Skattebo to break free for big plays. Texas’ secondary, while not the primary focus, will also need to ensure that Skattebo’s receiving game doesn’t take off, particularly on short-to-intermediate passes.
One of the strengths of Texas’ defense this season has been their ability to shut down the run, and this game against Arizona State will be a true test of their run defense. If they can contain Skattebo and make Arizona State one-dimensional, they will significantly increase their chances of advancing.
Play Elite Offense
While stopping Skattebo is a crucial defensive focus, the Texas offense must also play up to its elite standard. The Longhorns have been one of the top offensive teams in the nation this season, and for them to succeed in the Peach Bowl and move on to the semifinals, they must continue to execute efficiently on that side of the ball.
Texas’ offense, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, has been explosive when clicking. Ewers’ ability to push the ball downfield, along with a dynamic receiving corps that includes Xavier Worthy and Isaiah Neyor, makes the Longhorns a difficult team to defend. The key for Texas in this matchup will be to take advantage of Arizona State’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Arizona State has struggled against the pass this season, allowing over 2,800 passing yards and an average of 5.2 yards per play. This is a weakness that Texas offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian must exploit. Sarkisian has been known for his ability to scheme against opposing defenses and create mismatches. He will need to dial up plays that put pressure on Arizona State’s secondary, especially considering that Skattebo will command much of the attention from the defense. If Ewers can find success through the air, it will open up opportunities for Bijan Robinson in the run game, creating a balanced offensive attack that Arizona State will struggle to stop.
To execute an elite offense, Texas’ offensive line must also perform at a high level. They will need to protect Ewers, ensuring that he has time in the pocket to survey the field and deliver accurate passes. Robinson, who has been one of the top running backs in the country, will also need solid blocking up front to maximize his potential on the ground. Texas’ ability to create big plays through the air will force Arizona State’s defense to respect the passing game, which could open running lanes for Robinson.
Arizona State’s Defense: Ready for a Challenge
If Arizona State is to have a chance at pulling off an upset, their defense must rise to the occasion. They have faced some solid offenses this season, but Texas will present a different level of challenge. Arizona State’s defense has given up over 2,800 passing yards and has struggled to stop high-powered offenses. However, their defense has been opportunistic at times, forcing turnovers and making timely stops when needed.
The Sun Devils will need to bring their A-game if they hope to stop Texas’ offense. They will have to find a way to pressure Quinn Ewers, possibly through their pass rush, which has been inconsistent at times this season. If they can disrupt Ewers and force him to make mistakes, it could swing the game in Arizona State’s favor. Additionally, the Sun Devils will need to be disciplined against Bijan Robinson, as he has the ability to break off long runs at any time.
If Arizona State can limit big plays, create turnovers, and slow down the Texas offense, they will put themselves in a good position to make this a competitive game. But that’s no easy task against a team as talented as Texas.
Looking Ahead
The Peach Bowl between Texas and Arizona State is shaping up to be an exciting matchup that could go a long way in determining the national champion. Texas has a clear path to victory: stop Cam Skattebo and play elite offense. If they execute on both sides of the ball, they will advance to the semifinals, taking one step closer to their first national championship since 2005.
For Arizona State, the key will be to continue their surprising run and prove that their conference championship wasn’t a fluke. With Skattebo leading the charge, the Sun Devils will need a near-perfect game to upset Texas and make a statement in their first year in the Big 12.
Regardless of the outcome, this matchup promises to deliver fireworks, as both teams look to make a deep run and secure their place in college football history.
