The Peach Bowl thread (CFP Quarterfinal) 1/1/2025 11AM AZ time

[Lorenzo]

Leavitt is better. Sark just being loyal and honestly, it remains to be seen how much better Arch actually is than Ewers, if at all…

loyalty is only part of it and there is more to it than that IMO. I do agree that the verdict is still out on Arch and I think that is a better way to explain the situation. Arch needs time to develop. throwing him into the fire before he is ready isn't necessary when you already have a battle tested QB. I went to the game that Arch started vs. Mississippi State. He made some incredible throws in that game that will translate into the next level, but he also struggled at times in that game when adversity hit. he just needs more experience.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think Clemson was the most difficult matchup for Texas. Tennessee/SMU/Indiana probably don't score more than 15 points vs. Texas defense. Maybe the scoreline is different because some of those teams like Tennessee have played good defense. But Texas would be favored to beat all of those teams by double digits.

Ewers has his flaws. The biggest one is that he can't stay healthy, which is no fault to his own. but he has actually played in a lot of big time games over the last few years at Texas. He is one of the few QB's to beat Alabama in their building in the Nick Saban era.

Schedule is always subjective. I think Texas always plays a good schedule. Texas won the big 12 last year. I think they would have won it this year as well.

I don't know much about ASU's RB, I imagine I will find out. By all accounts he is special.

Skattebo is special in a weird almost undefinable way. He’s not a speed burner, but he’ll grab large chunks. He’s not elusive, but he’s incredibly difficult to tackle. He runs with a will Ive not seen in decades. Good receiver. Very good vision. And has a nose for the dramatic.

I think the trenches and overall speed is where texas is going to take this. I don’t think asu has played anyone with combination of size and speed of an entire roster that texas possesses.

That said, I think the intangibles will come into play here. Yes, texas has big game experience. But they’ve also shown a propensity to choke on the big stage. ASU has little bug game experience. The playoff may be too much for them. That said, almost every time they’ve encountered a big game this season they’ve found a way to rise to the occasion. And each game has seemed to get gradually bigger and bigger for them as the season has progressed. I think they’re the type of team that just doesn’t recognize how big the game is and it plays in their favor. As a result, if the game is tight I think it favors ASU’s free wheeling carefree let it all loose attitude and I think texas sphincter tightens up. But I think it more likely asu gets run here. If so, it will be a good learning experience for dilly and Leavitt.

I cannot understate how big missing Jordan Tyson is. It’s an enormous void

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Texas kicker is a problem as well. That is the one position that they are weak and don't have a backup to rotate in. He is really good within 40 yards. that's the nicest thing I can say about him.

This means he’s miles better than anything asu has. They may have the worst kicking situation I’ve ever seen at any level of football other than pop Warner in my entire 50 years of watching football.

 

[Lorenzo]

Skattebo is special in a weird almost undefinable way. He’s not a speed burner, but he’ll grab large chunks. He’s not elusive, but he’s incredibly difficult to tackle. He runs with a will Ive not seen in decades. Good receiver. Very good vision. And has a nose for the dramatic.

I think the trenches and overall speed is where texas is going to take this. I don’t think asu has played anyone with combination of size and speed of an entire roster that texas possesses.

That said, I think the intangibles will come into play here. Yes, texas has big game experience. But they’ve also shown a propensity to choke on the big stage. ASU has little bug game experience. The playoff may be too much for them. That said, almost every time they’ve encountered a big game this season they’ve found a way to rise to the occasion. And each game has seemed to get gradually bigger and bigger for them as the season has progressed. I think they’re the type of team that just doesn’t recognize how big the game is and it plays in their favor. As a result, if the game is tight I think it favors ASU’s free wheeling carefree let it all loose attitude and I think texas sphincter tightens up. But I think it more likely asu gets run here. If so, it will be a good learning experience for dilly and Leavitt.

I cannot understate how big missing Jordan Tyson is. It’s an enormous void

There is something to that although I think Texas plays a very carefree style of football as well. they are very fun to watch on both sides of the ball. they can win games with either side of the ball.

I think the two games that stand out where Texas choked if you will, were against Washington last year and Georgia this year in the SEC title game. There's no shame in losing either game there to either team so choking is subjective IMO. That aside Georgia is more of a choke job in the SEC title game this year because texas dominated more than half of that game and knocked out Georgia's QB to end the first half. After that point Kirby Smart was able to triage the situation enough to get through it, the verdict is out on how that will impact Georgia now. I blame Sark there for not having Texas ready to play against the backup QB. The Washington game last year's playoff, I think Texas were very much outmatched by Washington's offense and did not manage the game well enough to counter it. Michigan proved that running the ball was the way to attack Washington and texas missed that chance because it was all there for them to do that.

 

[Lorenzo]

I think we can draw conclusions about Texas having superior size from just looking at the rosters. But "talent" is a more subjective thing, especially harder to judge beyond the skill positions. We have to rely upon the number of 5 stars, or the talking heads repeating stuff in the media. I am not buying the talent generalizations, though I agree that Texas has a lot of very talented players.

Coaching is a key factor. Lots of examples of Dillingham outsmarting the coaches on the other side. I remember the UCLA game last year where we were way over matched and he came up with a crazy plan to win. Then the Washington game last year where ASU almost got it done. And I also think of a lot of overly aggressive. 4th down calls this year where he and Arroyo put games in danger. Not sure if we will be able to take the same approach with Texas's size up front.

Our O line is very solid, but a lot of this is just leverage and physics, maybe Kenny/Arroyo can throw some geometry at them. It will be interesting to see what the game plan is. I am expecting some new twists.

On D, except for some flurries, Ward has been playing "bend don't break" all year. He picks his spots to unleash the badassery. He's a chess player. Hopefully our bend won't break and he can pick the right spots to attack. I think Ewers is vulnerable if we can get to him, but will have to stop the run first and that is going to be a huge challenge based on what we saw from Texas last week.

This is the most talented and physical team I've seen from texas (on the field) in a very long time. Before Sark Texas always had a reputation of being talented yet were soft and not able to make it work on the field. and to Sark's credit he has changed that identity by a lot. Their defense is very good and can win a game on their own. Their offense can do just about anything, but are still young in the skill position areas. They had a massive void to fill by losing X. Worthy, A. Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, T. Sanders, and J. Brooks. Their top running back going into this year CJ Baxter also tore his ACL. If texas has a weakness by their own standards it is at the skilled positions, but they are still very talented in those areas as we see week in and week out it seems like a different guy steps up. I guess one area that remains to be seen is Sark winning the big one. He has been outcoached somewhat by Kirby Smart this year and Deboer last year. Sark as the play caller sometimes over complicates things and will go away from what is working, but he's still a great play caller.

 

[AZCB34]

Leavitt is better. Sark just being loyal and honestly, it remains to be seen how much better Arch actually is than Ewers, if at all…

I think Leavitt may ultimately be better if he keeps growing but I’m not thinking that he is better than Ewers right now in real time.

One thing about Ewers that I have heard, and @Lorenzo can confirm or deny, is that as the field gets shorter and shorter, Ewers has bigger issues executing plays. I don’t recall who mentioned the defense but the ASU defense plays a bend but don’t break style (and does it well) and so that might be a plus if what I’ve heard is accurate.

 

[Lorenzo]

I think Leavitt may ultimately be better if he keeps growing but I’m not thinking that he is better than Ewers right now in real time.

One thing about Ewers that I have heard, and @Lorenzo can confirm or deny, is that as the field gets shorter and shorter, Ewers has bigger issues executing plays. I don’t recall who mentioned the defense but the ASU defense plays a bend but don’t break style (and does it well) and so that might be a plus if what I’ve heard is accurate.

The bend but don't break is interesting because if ASU can limit Texas explosive TD's then yes that could be a problem for Texas and making them kick field goals would keep the game close. Texas did better in the red areas vs. Clemson because they were able to run the ball and throw the ball at will. Clemson couldn't stop both aspects.

vs. Georgia Texas could not run the ball, but were throwing the ball at will then stopping down in the red zone. to make matters worse their kicker missed 2 or 3 field goals in that game, if they make 1 of them they win. Texas had some missed opportunities in the red areas in the passing game vs. georgia. I think one of the issues is that they don't have a go to guy in the pass game. I think that guy has to be their tight end G. Helm or even J. Blue at running back because they have a great connection with Ewers and both are almost always open. Texas' defense also play that bend but don't break style. they have so many disruptive players all over the field that can kill a drive anywhere with a negative play or a turnover. I suspect that will be the way they play as well.

 

[Lorenzo]

The current line accurately reflects the gap in talent between Texas and ASU. Texas has top-level talent at every position on both sides of the ball, whereas ASU has Leavitt, Cam and…there is nobody on ASU’s defense that can be considered on par with any player on either side of the ball for Texas.

Still, the game is played on the field, where scheme, heart & execution can often overcome talent disparities.

For me, the key will be time of possession. If the Devils can find a way to control the game and the time, thereby keeping Texas’ offense on the sidelines, their chances skyrocket. But if Texas owns time of possession, they will wear down the Devil’s defense and come the second half, this game could get ugly…

Leavitt is a better QB than Ewers. But that is literally the only position where the Devils have the advantage - including running back.
So, can Dilly rally the team to play their absolute best game of the year - which, although might still not be enough, could make for an entertaining game - we’ll soon find out.
We know ASU will come out swinging and will not lack for heart and passion.
Playcalling on both sides of the ball will be MASSIVELY critical. Limiting penalties, turnovers and controlling the clock will also be HUGE!

But make no mistake, the Devils haven’t played a team as talented, as big and as fast at all key positions as is Texas - not just this year but in several years!
Gotta hope bad Ewers shows up and that merely keeping the game within reach thru the first half, provides enough spark, hope and inspiration that the Devils raise the level of their play beyond anything we’ve seen all year.
If that happens, the 4th quarter could be ours!

I agree. Texas should also try to win the time of possession game. they are built to play that way on offense if Sark commits to it. it's the way that they have won most of their games this season. They lost to Georgia in the SEC title game because Kirby Smart held the ball for almost all of the third quarter and he also executed a fake punt to keep the ball and score a TD in the fourth quarter when it looked like Texas were poised to take control of the game.

 

[Absolute Zero]

This is the most talented and physical team I've seen from texas (on the field) in a very long time. Before Sark Texas always had a reputation of being talented yet were soft and not able to make it work on the field. and to Sark's credit he has changed that identity by a lot. Their defense is very good and can win a game on their own. Their offense can do just about anything, but are still young in the skill position areas. They had a massive void to fill by losing X. Worthy, A. Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, T. Sanders, and J. Brooks. Their top running back going into this year CJ Baxter also tore his ACL. If texas has a weakness by their own standards it is at the skilled positions, but they are still very talented in those areas as we see week in and week out it seems like a different guy steps up. I guess one area that remains to be seen is Sark winning the big one. He has been outcoached somewhat by Kirby Smart this year and Deboer last year. Sark as the play caller sometimes over complicates things and will go away from what is working, but he's still a great play caller.

I don't dispute their talent level, I'm just passing on the generalization that they are more talented than ASU at every single position.

 

[Lorenzo]

I don't dispute their talent level, I'm just passing on the generalization that they are more talented than ASU at every single position.

yeah I doubt that is true. anytime we start to hear things like that it almost inevitably proves to be wrong. I think texas would definitely love to have ASU's running back. From the Texas side I was happy to see RB J. Blue break out of the dog house vs. Clemson. he has an extra gear that Sark has not utilized enough. if they can get him in space he can be special. I don't know about the QB comparison. I think Ewers is maligned and is a lot better than his reputation has become now. he has also played very well of late, even against georgia he played well. and historically for a texas team, going to Arkansas and Texas A&M and winning is no easy task for a QB and Ewers played well in those two games.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The current line accurately reflects the gap in talent between Texas and ASU. Texas has top-level talent at every position on both sides of the ball, whereas ASU has Leavitt, Cam and…there is nobody on ASU’s defense that can be considered on par with any player on either side of the ball for Texas.

Still, the game is played on the field, where scheme, heart & execution can often overcome talent disparities.

For me, the key will be time of possession. If the Devils can find a way to control the game and the time, thereby keeping Texas’ offense on the sidelines, their chances skyrocket. But if Texas owns time of possession, they will wear down the Devil’s defense and come the second half, this game could get ugly…

Leavitt is a better QB than Ewers. But that is literally the only position where the Devils have the advantage - including running back.
So, can Dilly rally the team to play their absolute best game of the year - which, although might still not be enough, could make for an entertaining game - we’ll soon find out.
We know ASU will come out swinging and will not lack for heart and passion.
Playcalling on both sides of the ball will be MASSIVELY critical. Limiting penalties, turnovers and controlling the clock will also be HUGE!

But make no mistake, the Devils haven’t played a team as talented, as big and as fast at all key positions as is Texas - not just this year but in several years!
Gotta hope bad Ewers shows up and that merely keeping the game within reach thru the first half, provides enough spark, hope and inspiration that the Devils raise the level of their play beyond anything we’ve seen all year.
If that happens, the 4th quarter could be ours!

I think this is a misstatement. Leavitt has more potential than ewers, but I don’t think we can yet say he’s better.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I think this is a misstatement. Leavitt has more potential than ewers, but I don’t think we can yet say he’s better.

That’s fair. Though, I would question if Ewers would’ve accomplished with this ASU team what Sam did this season.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The bend but don't break is interesting because if ASU can limit Texas explosive TD's then yes that could be a problem for Texas and making them kick field goals would keep the game close. Texas did better in the red areas vs. Clemson because they were able to run the ball and throw the ball at will. Clemson couldn't stop both aspects.

vs. Georgia Texas could not run the ball, but were throwing the ball at will then stopping down in the red zone. to make matters worse their kicker missed 2 or 3 field goals in that game, if they make 1 of them they win. Texas had some missed opportunities in the red areas in the passing game vs. georgia. I think one of the issues is that they don't have a go to guy in the pass game. I think that guy has to be their tight end G. Helm or even J. Blue at running back because they have a great connection with Ewers and both are almost always open. Texas' defense also play that bend but don't break style. they have so many disruptive players all over the field that can kill a drive anywhere with a negative play or a turnover. I suspect that will be the way they play as well.

I think asu is going to have a big problem stopping the run. Quite a few teams ran well against them this season and texas has the talent and size to make them pay.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

That’s fair. Though, I would question if Ewers would’ve accomplished with this ASU team what Sam did this season.

Possible. But against the big 12 I think he would have. I think many are forgetting that last season people were talking like ewers was a first rounder.

 

[Lorenzo]

Possible. But against the big 12 I think he would have. I think many are forgetting that last season people were talking like ewers was a first rounder.

Injuries have derailed Ewers season. really that's been his problem every year. that's why I wouldn't pick him in the first round. when healthy and protected he has mid to late first round ability when you factor that QB's that can sling it like he can are hard to find. as far as the big 12 goes, Ewers won the big 12 title last year in a very similar type of schedule that he would have played if they were in the big 12 this year. I think the past few weeks Ewers has improved and although they didn't get the result vs. Georgia, if you take the emotions out of it, it was really impressive how he shredded their defense for most of that game. It's something that he can build on. I'd rather be Texas right now than Georgia after that game.

 

[Lorenzo]

That’s fair. Though, I would question if Ewers would’ve accomplished with this ASU team what Sam did this season.

hard to say. I don't think Texas would be where they are without Ewers when you look at the skilled players on offense that they lost last year to the NFL. Ewers has dealt with all of the negativity and keeps coming back and battling through it. It might have been easier for Ewers to transfer somewhere else where he wouldn't deal with the pressure and negativity that he deals with now. he takes the blame for just about everything that goes wrong and doesn't always get credit when he plays well.

 

[82CardsGrad]

hard to say. I don't think Texas would be where they are without Ewers when you look at the skilled players on offense that they lost last year to the NFL. Ewers has dealt with all of the negativity and keeps coming back and battling through it. It might have been easier for Ewers to transfer somewhere else where he wouldn't deal with the pressure and negativity that he deals with now. he takes the blame for just about everything that goes wrong and doesn't always get credit when he plays well.

I’ve watched him a few times and I have never been impressed with his QB skills… He’s a gamer for sure. But my gut tells me he will never amount to much more than a Colt McCoy in the NFL.

 

[ajcardfan]

I’ve watched him a few times and I have never been impressed with his QB skills… He’s a gamer for sure. But my gut tells me he will never amount to much more than a Colt McCoy in the NFL.

He is a great example of why this year's draft class is so uninspiring when it comes to the QBs. He is supposed to be one of the very elite this year. Put him in last year's group and he is a 3rd rounder or so. But, someone will draft him high.

 

[Lorenzo]

I’ve watched him a few times and I have never been impressed with his QB skills… He’s a gamer for sure. But my gut tells me he will never amount to much more than a Colt McCoy in the NFL.

I think his arm is superior to Colt's. If you could combine Ewers arm talent with Colt's willingness to prove people wrong then you would have quite the texas QB. I think Colt had more mental toughness. That said it's all out in front of Ewers to prove himself now. nothing helps your draft stock more than playing well when it matters most.

 

[Lorenzo]

He is a great example of why this year's draft class is so uninspiring when it comes to the QBs. He is supposed to be one of the very elite this year. Put him in last year's group and he is a 3rd rounder or so. But, someone will draft him high.

so much of NFL QB'ing comes down to a balance of talent and mental toughness. then also the desire to outwork everyone else. It's hard to say if Ewers is another guy that will fold under that pressure or a guy that will rise above it and develop into a realistic NFL level QB. Ewers definitely has the quick release and accuracy to play in the NFL. but he gets hurt a lot for a guy that doesn't look to run much.

 

[Absolute Zero]

I think asu is going to have a big problem stopping the run. Quite a few teams ran well against them this season and texas has the talent and size to make them pay.

It's going to be a big challenge for sure, I'm just wondering if they change their base defense to adjust. They usually run a 4 2 5 with Simmons at nickel. He is pretty solid in run support. With him out in the first half, I'd like to see LB Caleb McCullough in his place in run situations for more of a 4 3 look.

 

[AZCB34]

He is a great example of why this year's draft class is so uninspiring when it comes to the QBs. He is supposed to be one of the very elite this year. Put him in last year's group and he is a 3rd rounder or so. But, someone will draft him high.

If he even goes into the draft. Not a guarantee he will

 

[Lorenzo]

If he even goes into the draft. Not a guarantee he will

I think it's 99.9% that he's going into the draft.

 

[ajcardfan]

If he even goes into the draft. Not a guarantee he will

In that case he could very well transfer. No way he stays and risks getting benched. JMO

 

[AZCB34]

In that case he could very well transfer. No way he stays and risks getting benched. JMO

Agreed. No matter what he’s gone from Texas.