The College Football Playoff kicks off the new year with a quarterfinal game.
Three of the first-ever 12-team CFP’s four quarterfinal games are scheduled for New Year’s Day, starting with a matchup between the No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils and No. 5 Texas Longhorns in the Peach Bowl.
Like Boise State, Arizona State will play in the first-ever CFP game in the quarterfinals. In preseason media polls, the Sun Devils finished last in the Big 12 in their conference debut season. However, head coach Kenny Dillingham’s team finished in first place in the conference with 11 wins and two losses. And despite losses to Texas Tech and Cincinnati, the Sun Devils were able to defeat Iowa State in the Big 12 title game and earn the No. 4 seed in the CFP.
Arizona State’s surprise season was led by running back Cam Skatebo, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. The senior gained 2,074 yards from scrimmage and scored 22 total touchdowns in 12 games.
“There’s no one that can stop me,” Scatebo said before facing the Longhorns, who boast the second-best scoring defense in the country. And breakout redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt said he’s going to go out and prove why he’s a good quarterback against Texas’ Quinn Ewers, a former No. 1 overall pick. ” he said.
Ewers and the 11-2 Longhorns are in the CFP for the second time after debuting under head coach Steve Sarkisian last season. Texas was the highest-seeded non-conference champion in the field this year after losing to Georgia in the SEC title game. Both of the Longhorns’ losses in their first season in the SEC came against the Bulldogs.
Texas defeated No. 12 Clemson 38-24 at home in the CFP opener. Running backs Jadon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner each contributed to the victory with over 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Ewers, who had 358 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the SEC Championship, had 202 yards, one touchdown and one pick against Clemson.
This will be the second time Texas and Arizona State have played against each other, with the Longhorns winning in the 2007 Holiday Bowl. The two programs don’t have much of a Peach Bowl history either. Arizona State is making its only appearance in a bowl game since 1970, and Texas will be playing in its first Peach Bowl.
So will the Sun Devils extend their surprise season with an upset against Texas? Or will the Longhorns take another step towards a national championship? Here’s how to watch the CFP quarterfinals matches:
When is the Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl?
The Longhorns will play the Sun Devils on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st.
What time does Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl start?
The CFP quarterfinals are scheduled for 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT/10:00 AM PT.
Where will the Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl be held?
The Peach Bowl is held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. The venue will also host this season’s national championship game.
What TV channel is Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl on?
Texas-Arizona State will be broadcast on ESPN.
Where to stream Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl live online
It will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Who will the Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl winner face next?
The winner of the Peach Bowl will play the winner of the Rose Bowl (No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State) in the Cotton Bowl.
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