Arizona State’s Confidence Soars Ahead of Peach Bowl Clash with Texas
ATLANTA — As the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game approaches, the Arizona State Sun Devils are brimming with confidence, especially when it comes to their standout offensive players. The Sun Devils are set to face the formidable Texas Longhorns in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and they are not shying away from making bold statements.
Running back Cam Skattebo has been particularly vocal about his abilities. During Monday’s media day, he confidently declared, “There’s nobody out there that can stop me.” This statement sets the tone for what promises to be an electrifying matchup.
Meanwhile, quarterback Sam Leavitt is equally determined to prove his mettle. He stands by his earlier comments that he will demonstrate he is the superior quarterback in Wednesday’s game.
Skattebo’s Stellar Season
Skattebo, who finished No. 5 in Heisman Trophy voting, has been a force to be reckoned with all season. When asked about facing the No. 1 defense in the country, he remained unfazed. “They continue to keep saying that people are going to try to stop me,” Skattebo said. “There’s nobody out there that can stop me. We played in 13 games, and I’ve been the target on each one, so I’m not too worried. We’re going to play our game and play ball and see what happens there.”
His confidence is backed by impressive stats: Skattebo rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns, and caught 37 passes for 506 yards and three touchdowns. Despite not being invited to the Heisman ceremony, he remains focused on the bigger picture. “I was like, we got bigger plans. There’s still more goals to achieve,” he said.
Facing the Texas Defense
Arizona State’s offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo, acknowledges the challenge ahead. “We haven’t played against a defense like this,” Arroyo said. “They’re good from top to bottom. This is the best defense in college football right now, but to know what our guys are going to do against them in the matchups — we’ve got to be patient, we’ve got to find our spots. You’ve got to be disciplined because you can’t go off script with this group. They’ll create negative plays. They won’t allow those extra yards that you think you can find somewhere else.”
Skattebo believes that the Sun Devils’ size and physicality will be crucial. “We can outweigh them a little bit at times,” he said. “And if we continue to do that and be more physical than them, I think this game would go our way for sure.”
Leavitt’s Confidence and Viral Comments
Leavitt, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Michigan State, has emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the country. In his past six games, he has thrown 16 touchdown passes and just one interception. His confidence is palpable, and his comments about proving himself against Texas’ Quinn Ewers went viral. “Cool,” Leavitt said of the reaction. “You know, get my name out on the stage a little bit more. I don’t feel like publicity is bad, especially if you’re not saying anything.”
Arroyo supports Leavitt’s self-assuredness, stating, “We’ve got a quarterback who believes he’s really, really good, is one of the best in the country — if not the best in the country. Believes he’s going to play on Sundays. Believes in everything he does. It’s when the microphone was in front of him that he got a chance to let everybody know that, and that’s OK.”
- Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo finished No. 5 in Heisman Trophy voting.
- Skattebo rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.
- Sam Leavitt has thrown 16 touchdown passes in his last six games.
As the Sun Devils prepare to take on the Longhorns, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter. With Skattebo and Leavitt leading the charge, Arizona State is ready to prove they belong among the elite in college football.
Originally Written by: Andrea Adelson
