The highly anticipated matchup in the 2025 Peach Bowl features the No. 4 seed Arizona State Sun Devils facing off against the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns as part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The game is set to take place on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with a kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Despite finishing No. 12 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, Arizona State secured the fourth seed as champions of the Big 12. They wrapped up their regular season with an impressive 11-2 record, while Texas, ranked No. 3 prior to the playoffs, enters the game with a 12-2 overall record but was seeded fifth after losing the SEC Championship Game to Georgia.
The Longhorns are currently favored by 13.5 points in this matchup, with the over/under set at 51.5 points. This remains an intriguing contest as both teams have shown strength and resilience throughout the season.
Arizona State is regarded as a surprising contender, having exceeded expectations after being predicted to finish last in the Big 12. The Sun Devils have their star running back Cam Skattebo to thank for much of their success. Skattebo achieved over 1,000 scrimmage yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season, establishing himself as a critical component of the team’s offense. With an exceptional performance in the latter part of the season, Skattebo could be pivotal in Arizona State’s efforts to cover the spread.
On the other hand, Texas bounced back from its SEC Championship defeat with a strong performance against Clemson, highlighted by their dominant rushing attack. With key players like Tre Wisner and Jaydon Blue proving effective on the ground, Texas aims to reproduce this strategy against Arizona State.
As both teams prepare for this critical playoff showdown, fans can expect a showdown between two contrasting styles of play, with Arizona State’s explosive offense going up against Texas’s tough defense.
Optimistically, no matter the outcome, this matchup serves as a showcase of talent and determination from both squads, reflecting the competitive nature of college football and its capacity to foster unexpected journeys for its teams.
In summary, the upcoming Peach Bowl presents a thrilling college football playoff scenario, pitting the surprising Sun Devils against a resilient Longhorns team, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the sport and the excitement surrounding the postseason.