The last time Texas football was in Atlanta, in early December, things didn’t go well.
This Wednesday, they hope to leave the Peach Bowl with a College Football Playoff semifinal berth.
Texas faces Arizona State on New Year’s Day as the heavy favorite in one of four CFP quarterfinal matchups. The Sun Devils will challenge a strong Longhorns defense with Cam Skattebo, one of the nation’s best running backs. While Texas may not have one running back as good as Skattebo, they do have Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner as a one-two punch of explosive speed and strength.
More: Texas football can ride its old-school throwback defense to a CFP championship | Golden
Quarterback-wise, Texas is led by Quinn Ewers, a former five-star recruit and one of the most experienced passer left in the CFP. However, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt is unfazed, believing that he is the “better quarterback” of the two.
While both teams have proven themselves as one of the best of their new conferences, Texas football is in its second year of a strong run. Steve Sarkisian is the first Texas coach to lead the program to 10 wins in back-to-back seasons since the legendary Mack Brown. Coach Kenny Dillingham is in his second year with Arizona State and has brought the program from a 3-9 season in the Pac-12 to an 11-2 season in the Big 12.
Here are predictions from ESPN, CBS and other outlets for the Peach Bowl:
Texas vs Arizona State predictions
Danny Davis: Texas. Arizona State has enjoyed a fairytale season but it is midnight, Cinderella. Texas is the best team that Arizona State has faced this season, and this one shouldn’t be close. The Cotton Bowl calls for UT.
Cedric Golden: Texas 34, Arizona State 20. Cam Skattebo is as good as advertised but so is the Texas Longhorn run defense which keeps him under wraps. Texas is hitting its stride at the perfect time of the season.
Thomas Jones: Texas 35, Arizona State 13. The Sun Devils force turnovers and don’t give away the ball, two key factors for any upset. But the Longhorns’ overwhelming edge on both sides of the line of scrimmage won’t let that matter.
David Eckert: Texas 28, Arizona State 13. Cam Skattebo is special, but so is the Texas defense. Look for the Longhorns to push the Sun Devils around in the trenches on their way to the semis.
Caleb Yum: Texas 33, Arizona State 14. Texas loses the turnover battle, but its defense rescues them again. Cam Skattebo finds the endzone twice while the Longhorns dominate in the trenches.
CBS Sports
CBS’ staff chose Texas as the straight-up winner.
Dennis Dodd:Â Texas
Tom Fornelli:Â Texas
Shehan Jeyarajah:Â Texas
Richard Johnson:Â Texas
Brandon Marcello:Â Texas
Chip Patterson:Â Texas
Jerry Palm:Â Texas
However, they were split when it came to calling the 13-point spread.
Dennis Dodd:Â Texas
Tom Fornelli:Â Texas
Shehan Jeyarajah:Â Arizona State
Richard Johnson:Â Arizona State
Brandon Marcello:Â Arizona State
Chip Patterson:Â Arizona State
Jerry Palm:Â Arizona State
Lia Assimakopoulos: Texas
Tim Cowlishaw: Texas
Shawn McFarland: Texas
Kevin Sherrington: Texas
Andrea Adelson: Texas
Kyle Bonagura: Arizona State
Bill Connelly: Texas
David Hale:Â Texas
Eli Lederman: Texas
Chris Low: Texas
Max Olson: Texas
Adam Rittenberg: Texas
Mark Schlabach: Texas
Jake Trotter: Texas
Paolo Uggetti: Texas
Dave Wilson: Texas
Peach Bowl betting odds
Spread:Â Texas by 13.5 points
Over/Under:Â 52.5 points
Moneyline:Â -550 (Texas), +400 (Arizona State)
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football vs Arizona State: Peach Bowl predictions, picks
