(Photo: Sporting News)
College Football Playoff- Quarterfinals
(5) Texas Longhorns at (4) Arizona State Sun Devils
Texas: I was wondering how they’d come out against Clemson. Before their first-round game, they dropped a prime opportunity to be the two-seed and have the week off in the first round, but the domino didn’t fall in their direction. Instead, they fell to the fifth seed and still hosted a playoff game. When the season started, I picked Quinn Ewers to win the Heisman and when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best in the nation playing Quarterback. This year, however, he’s been hobbled with an ankle injury, and at times, Steve Sarkisian has turned to Arch Manning to right the ship. What I’ve enjoyed about this Texas team is they can beat you in several ways and that was on full display against Clemson last weekend. When the passing game couldn’t get much going, the running game came alive and when they can establish a consistent ground attack, they’re a tough out. Jaydon Blue had 146 yards on 14 carries and Quintrevion Wisner added 110 of his own and they were able to wear down a strong Tigers defense. Another reason wexas has been so successful this year has been their defense and I think they have the best unit remaining of any other team in this bracket. That front sets the tone and everyone else follows along. On New Year’s Day, they will face the current champions of the Big 12.
Arizona State: Next to the Indiana Hoosiers, they have been another great story this year in our sport. Last season, this was a program that won only three games and they decided to part ways with Herm Edwards. Next, they hired former Oregon Offensive Coordinator, Kenny Dillingham and with a year to reconfigure their roster, they were able to experience one of the biggest turnarounds of the season. Arizona State went from a 3-9 record in 2023 to 11 victories and a conference championship victory in their first year in the Big 12. These players have bought into what Kenny has sold to them and I can tell they love playing for him. He’s a young coach that provides energy to his football team. Another one of their shining points this year has been the Running Back, Cam Skattebo. What I enjoy about his game is he’s a human wrecking ball that never shies away from contact he welcomes it and will also initiate the contact. Cam also has an elite vision behind the line, he’s precise and quick in and out of his cuts. Besides running the football, he can also hurt a defense as a receiver. This is a balanced Sun Devils offensive attack that can beat a defense with the passing attack and rushing game as I mentioned. On January 1st, they will face a tough test in Texas as they look to advance to the semifinals.
Texas X-Factor: Quintrevion Wisner– He’s a piece of the two-headed monster in the backfield with Jaydon Blue. He runs with bounce and power which allows him to burst into the next levels of the defense. Quintrevion has speed, vision, and natural feed along with great acceleration to shift along and work his way around a defender. This may not be the biggest guy, but he runs with power and violence and when you continue to feed him the ball, he will continue to wear down the defensive front.
Arizona State X-Factor: Xavion Alford– He has been one of the best defensive players in the Big-12 and when you think of these Sun Devils, the offense often gets the recognition. Xavion deserves a lot of credit for what he brings to this defense. There’s not a play this kid can’t make as I’ve seen Xavion attack the line of scrimmage to stop the run and where the ball is, he’s following. Teams have learned not to throw in his direction too often because he will make you pay for it.
Final Thoughts: This is a matchup of the last two Big-12 conference champions with Texas winning it last season in their final year in the Big-12 before moving to the SEC and Arizona State winning it this year in their first year in the conference. The one thing many learned after watching Texas in the first round is they can morph into whatever they need to advance. They have different dimensions in which they can shift gears. Arizona State is balanced and they have one of the best Running Backs in the nation in Skattebo who should present a challenge for the Texas defense. One matchup I’ll be watching is the Texas defensive front against this Arizona State offensive line and for the Sun Devils to win this football game, they must either match that physicality or beat them up front as often as possible. Also, keeping their defense off-balance will be a major key for Arizona State. Texas dominated the line of scrimmage against Clemson and will look to do that once again in this next game. Running the ball and shutting down Cam will be the keys to the game for the Longhorns. I have a feeling this Longhorns defense will be way too much for the Sun Devils to overcome at certain points of the game and I like Texas to advance.
Prediction: Texas 33, Arizona State 29
