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 the challenge.
Running back Cam Skattebo made a bold statement during Monday’s media day, declaring, “There’s nobody out there that can stop me.” His confidence is palpable, and it’s clear that he is ready to take on the No. 1 defense in the country.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt echoed this sentiment, standing by his previous comments that he intends to prove he is the superior quarterback in Wednesday’s game. The Sun Devils are not just talking the talk; they are ready to walk the walk.
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 Longhorns’ defense, he confidently stated, “They continue to keep saying that people are going to try to stop me. 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 stats speak for themselves: Skattebo rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also catching 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 Best Defense
Arizona State’s offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo, acknowledged the challenge that lies 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 key to their success. “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 evident, as he looks forward to facing the Longhorns’ Quinn Ewers and proving “why I’m the better quarterback.”
Leavitt’s comments quickly went viral, a fact he noticed when he checked his phone. “Cool,” he 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.”
- Leavitt’s recent performance: 16 touchdown passes, 1 interception in the last six games.
- Skattebo’s season stats: 1,568 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns, 37 receptions for 506 yards.
- Arizona State’s challenge: Facing the No. 1 defense in college football.
Arroyo supports Leavitt’s self-assuredness, saying, “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.”
As the Sun Devils prepare for their showdown with Texas, their confidence is undeniable. Whether it’s Skattebo’s unstoppable drive or Leavitt’s determination to prove himself, Arizona State is ready to make a statement on the national stage.
Originally Written by: Andrea Adelson
