Top Keys to Skattebo, Arizona State Scoring Win Over Texas

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No. 4 Arizona State (11-2, 7-2) won the Big 12 Championship over No. 18 Iowa State (11-3, 7-2) 45-19 to secure its spot in the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye. No. 5 Texas (12-2, 7-1) lost the SEC Championship game to No. 2 Georgia (11-2, 6-2) 22-19 in overtime, getting an at-large spot in the playoffs. The Longhorns defeated No. 12 Clemson (10-4, 7-1) in the first round to advance to the Peach Bowl to face Arizona State.

The Sun Devils enter the CFP with very few outside of Tempe, Ariz., believing they can pull off the win against Texas. Picked in a preseason poll to finish in last place in the Big 12, the Sun Devils defied all the odds this season. Now, they have a chance to beat the Big 12-defecting Longhorns in the CFP. Arizona State will have to play one of their best games of the season in the Peach Bowl. Texas and Arizona State square off at 1 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 1, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Here are three keys:

Cam Skattebo Needs to Get Going

This seems obvious for Arizona State's success. Skattebo is the primary playmaker for the Sun Devils' offense with 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns rushing to go along with 506 yards and 3 TDs receiving this season. With Jordyn Tyson the No. 1 receiver out with an injury, the Longhorns' focus will solely be on Skattebo. Texas gives up 104.5 yards per game rushing on the season. The Peach Bowl will be a matchup of strength versus strength.

Arizona State Needs to Limit Mistakes

In Texas' two losses to Georgia, the Longhorns are minus-2 in turnovers. In their 12 wins this season, they are plus-8. Arizona State is plus-14 in turnovers forced.

The Longhorns have only had two games this season that were turnover-free. The Longhorns have recorded 41 sacks on the season while Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has only been sacked 16 times all season. The Sun Devils cannot afford to give away possessions and have negative plays against a team like Texas.

Keep the Moment in Check

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham is the youngest coach at the Power Four level. He took his alma mater from 3-9 in 2023 to Big 12 Champions and in the CFP. The Longhorns were supposed to be in this situation while Arizona State was not. This team has the pieces to beat Texas. If they play like they have especially late in the season, then they can do it. This team believes in Dillingham and he believes in them. The Sun Devils need to play their style of football, meaning they must control the clock and force turnovers.

If they can accomplish these keys, then they will be in the game and have a great chance to upset the Longhorns.