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

[Mainstreet]

It was targeting, plain and simple, call it the ESPN/SEC ref fix or whatever, but ASU had multiple chances to win and didn't get it done. That's why they lost, not this call. That Texas D was too tough in the redzone.

I have no doubt it should have been called targeting. We were deprived of knowing if it changed the outcome of the game. I felt good about ASU's chances if that was the call.

 

[DJ Tabooh]

I have no doubt it should have been called targeting. We were deprived of knowing if it changed the outcome of the game. I felt good about ASU's chances if that was the call.

I was really surprised it wasn’t called. As someone who lives in Austin but went to Tennessee, I was pulling for ASU. They got a crappy draw imo. They’re better than Boise State and Penn State.

Skattebo is a legend. Talked before the game and backed it up. Leavitt was running for his life all day. Wasn’t a huge fan of the playcalling in the red zone. Would have liked for more deception against a defense like Texas.

I know the defense gave up the 4th and 13 but when it was 17-3 at half, that game could’ve gotten away from them. Props to ASU on an unbelievable season. I watched the Texas State game and to see the growth of the team has been incredible. Forks Up!

 

[ajcardfan]

I have no doubt it should have been called targeting. We were deprived of knowing if it changed the outcome of the game. I felt good about ASU's chances if that was the call.

I cannot understand how it was not called. The only thing I can think of was that a flag was not thrown on the play and they didn't want to override the call on the field at that point of the game. Had a flag been thrown, they would've confirmed targeting.

That is all I've got.

 

[Chelseadal]

I was at the game. It was heart breaking. The only thing I will add to what was said is that Matayer had drops and then became invisible. He is not the answer at TE.

 

[Martin Eden]

I think the ball being tipped is the reason they didn't call it. I'm not sure you can be a defenseless receiver after the pass is tipped at the line of scrimmage. I thought they were going to call it though.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

The non-call on the targeting and the shambolic decision of bringing the house on 4th and 13 will hurt for awhile. Couldn't be more proud of the effort though - will be a legendary team in ASU history.

 

[Folster]

I was at the game. It was heart breaking. The only thing I will add to what was said is that Matayer had drops and then became invisible. He is not the answer at TE.

Hopefully the kid from Kentucky can come in and step up. I really like how our WR corps is shaping up, Tyson, McClain, and are adding the 4* from Clemson and the kid from Fresno. Should be a solid group for Sam.

 

[Folster]

Not enough is being said about the ASU run D. They shut down the Texas running game despite being much smaller. A couple big breakdowns in the secondary are the only blemishes on what was a stellar defensive performance against a bigger and faster Texas team.

 

[SeattleCardinal]

Ward had a good game plan against an offensive line loaded with NFL talent and that overmatched the ASU defense, especially in terms of size.

Speaking of targeting calls and lack thereof, how nice would it have been to have Shamari Simmons in there for the entire game.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The targeting could have easily gone either way, I think. I do not think he led with the crown - which I think is the middle 6" of the top of the helmet? - but I gave up trying to figure out what is targeting or not targeting last year. I think most teams have been on lucky and unlucky side of that call (or no-call). I will say the refs let the game play without impressing themselves unnecessarily. There were holdings and PIs on both teams that a nit-picky crew might have called, but I thought they did a good job of finding a balance overall.

Agree that overall the refs seemed fine.

I think the targeting call raises the ire of ASU fans because we had to play the first half yesterday without our top defender who was called for a targeting in the Big 12 championship game that was very reminiscent of the texas hit. So we were penalized for something against the longhorns that they got away with.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Ward had a good game plan against an offensive line loaded with NFL talent and that overmatched the ASU defense, especially in terms of size.

Speaking of targeting calls and lack thereof, how nice would it have been to have Shamari Simmons in there for the entire game.

He was an immediate game changer when he reentered the game. Sucks that he missed the first half.

 

[Dback Jon]

Agree that overall the refs seemed fine.

I think the targeting call raises the ire of ASU fans because we had to play the first half yesterday without our top defender who was called for a targeting in the Big 12 championship game that was very reminiscent of the texas hit. So we were penalized for something against the longhorns that they got away with.

Spot on with that - ASU's best defender had to sit a half for a call that was less of targeting than what the Texas defender got away with.

 

[FB94]

Someone on 98.6 made a good point about the targeting call. The one against ASU in Big 12 championship was made with the game basically won by ASU due to blowout, and it wouldn’t affect the rest of the game. The non call vs Texas would have greatly affected the outcome with ASU very close to FG range to win it. They thought the review crew along with umpire didn’t want a penalty to sway the game. Right or wrong is was a terrible non call and whoever was the replay official should be removed

 

[mjb21aztd]

Im feelin netural tod was sad to come soooooo dang close vs powerhouse longhorns there a very good team great qb.....

But proud of asu toughness and dedication to doin there best effort epic gm by cam fut nfl player justttt sayin be dope if cam is a fut cards!!!

Forks up alwaysss a asu fan )) 420 2 edible candy cubes to devils magic season

 

[Absolute Zero]

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[AZCB34]

Someone on 98.6 made a good point about the targeting call. The one against ASU in Big 12 championship was made with the game basically won by ASU due to blowout, and it wouldn’t affect the rest of the game. The non call vs Texas would have greatly affected the outcome with ASU very close to FG range to win it. They thought the review crew along with umpire didn’t want a penalty to sway the game. Right or wrong is was a terrible non call and whoever was the replay official should be removed

Penalty is a penalty no matter what point in the game.

What makes this theory even worse is there is all this player safety stuff underlying everything and all of a sudden, during a tight game, we say screw it player safety means nothing?

It either means something or it doesn’t. That was forcible contact to the head. Period. And as others have pointed out, it was similar to the Simmons hit. Oh, and Taafee (sp?) don’t have to sit out the first half of the semis. So there is a ripple effect into the next game.

 

[AZCB34]

Was it targeting in Arizona State vs Texas Peach Bowl? Here's what the rulebook says

What is targeting? Was it targeting in the Arizona State vs Texas College Football Playoff Peach Bowl quarterfinal game? What rulebook, expert say.

www.azcentral.com

 

[AZCB34]

Some really interesting thoughts from Terry McAuley in the second half of that article

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It was a targeting for sure the way it's called now.

That being said, they need to revamp the rule as the original intent has been lost. The rule intended to prevent Vontaze Burfict types from decapitating people coming across the middle. Bang-bang plays like yesterday shouldn't be penalized and the competition committees should make those changes moving forward.

 

[Devilmaycare]

Someone on 98.6 made a good point about the targeting call. The one against ASU in Big 12 championship was made with the game basically won by ASU due to blowout, and it wouldn’t affect the rest of the game. The non call vs Texas would have greatly affected the outcome with ASU very close to FG range to win it. They thought the review crew along with umpire didn’t want a penalty to sway the game. Right or wrong is was a terrible non call and whoever was the replay official should be removed

Flawed logic in this due to the penalties from targeting. Either by the 98.6 person trying to explain it or from the refs if they actually think this. The call against ASU in the Big12 Championship game didn't effect that game but they affected ASU's next game. When the refs make the call they're putting their finger on scale for another game in which they aren't the officials.

 

[AZ Native]

As an ASU alumn, I appreciated all the support for this team, especially those U of A grads. Arizona gets a bad rap across the country. U of A has been spectacular in basketball for decades. I still remember being in an SF bar for that championship game in 1997. I and a co-worker were the only two rooting for U of A. They beat 3 #1 seeds, unheard of. I bleed maroon and gold, but if we are not playing against Arizona, I pull for them. (being a native of AZ, I guess). It hurts sometimes to be ana AZ sports fan, but, it is what it is. I won't change.

 

[Ronin]

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[Brian in Mesa]

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[Brian in Mesa]

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[Ronin]

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