Arizona State players are enjoying the role of underdogs this week. But that’s nothing new. The Sun Devils have been doing this all year.

For starters, Kenny Dillingham’s team was picked to finish last in its debut season in the Big 12 – that’s what happens when you go 3-9 the year before. But under Dillingham, the 34-year-old Sun Devils head coach who took over before the 2023 season, ASU went 11-2, won the conference and earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Now they prepare to face Texas on Wednesday in the Peach Bowl, which serves as the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns are listed as a 13.5 favorite – the widest spread of any CFP quarterfinal game. But the Sun Devils don’t mind because they know what it’s like to be overlooked.

“Just more fuel to the fire,” ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt told reporters this week. “I kind of understand that (during preseason) and stuff like that, but as we progressed throughout the year and kept proving people wrong and now people are seeing the product that we have, I’m a little confused by the outcome predictions.”

“But I’m really excited about it. Opportunities are all you can ask for. Now I get the opportunity to play on the biggest stage and do what we do.”

Many of the questions directed at Arizona State players leading up to this matchup revolved around how to compete against Texas’ best defense and how to compete against a quality quarterback like Quinn Ewers. The Sun Devils, making their first appearance in the CFP, answered each of these questions with confidence and poise.

Leavitt, for example, said he was looking forward to proving “why I’m the better quarterback,” words that quickly went viral. The young quarterback, who transferred from Michigan State after his freshman year, had a solid first year in Tempe, passing for 2,663 yards with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He has progressed throughout the season and in his last two games (wins over Arizona and then Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game) he completed more than 70% of his passes for a total of 510 yards and six touchdowns.

“I’ve always been underestimated throughout my career,” Leavitt said. “When I was in high school I wasn’t even a top-ranked recruit, a three-star player, I had like two offers by my senior year. Then I played really well and became a four-star player. SEC teams don’t really report and stuff like that.

“Then when I entered the transfer portal and came here, I didn’t have a name on my back and I had to work for everything. Even before this game, I feel like I’m still not respected and we’re in it as a team. In general, that’s a common goal for our whole team and so on.”

Leavitt, of course, didn’t care much about the comments he made about Ewers, who was a former No. 1 ranked recruit in the country fresh out of high school. However, he noticed the chatter that followed.

“I see it’s blown up a little bit,” Leavitt said, “which is cool… to get my name out there a little bit more.”

“I don’t feel that advertising is bad, especially if you don’t say anything. Quinn Ewers is such a big name in college football, and now that’s going to be a big talking point on the show, and now it’s you. “I’m going to go into the game and people are going to pay attention to things, so it’s just an opportunity.” for me to prove myself.”

Leavitt said the reaction to his comments would not add to the pressure ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

“It doesn’t change anything for me,” Leavitt said. “I’m just going in to win the game. I don’t care what people think.”

Ewers, of course, was asked about Leavitt’s comments during Peach Bowl Media Day.

“Congratulations on a great year, a great season,” Ewers said. “I watched some of their games and (Leavitt is) a talented player and it’s fun to watch them on offense. I’m just looking forward to competing against him.”

Meanwhile, Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo weighed in on his own play. The lethal downhill runner, who finished fifth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting, said he doesn’t get enough respect when it comes to the best running backs in college football.

After the Sun Devils’ 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game, in which Skattebo rushed for a game-high 170 yards and two touchdowns, Skattebo had this to say: “Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back.” Back of the country. If people don’t want to respect that, I’ll go ahead and continue to prove people wrong.

During Monday’s media session, Skattebo reiterated his statement: “There’s no one out there that can stop me,” the senior running back said.

While Skattebo’s claim has proven true so far – he has rushed for 494 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three games – he has never faced a defense as good as Texas all year. The Longhorns are limited to 104.2 rushing yards per game, 3.1 yards per carry and just 11 rushing touchdowns this season.

Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense prides itself on stopping the run and shutting down opposing team’s running backs, something they did immediately after beating Clemson in the opening round of the CFP and setting up this matchup against Skattebo and the Sun Devils.

“I feel like I’ve heard this many times in my time here, that a team comes in here and runs the ball on us,” Texas defensive end Barryn Sorrell said. “And often the result was different. That’s why I’m just looking forward to this challenge of running again.”

When asked about the challenge of stopping Skattebo, Texas defensive end Michael Taaffe had this to say: “He’s a tenacious defender who tries to run you over. He also has great patience, excellent contact balance, great contact courage to where he’s rested his shoulder and maybe someone tries to grab his legs and he stumbles up, stays on his feet and runs another 40 yards.

“The way he can be so versatile as a running back — jump-cutting, running people over, spin moves — he’s got the whole package. And then he is also a passing threat. “He’s just a guy that can do anything,” and obviously they’re calling his name and he’s ready to play every single Saturday.

The fact that Texas has been inundated with films only motivates Skattebo even more.

“If they study hard, there’s a reason,” Skattebo said. “And I have complete respect for them because they understand what they’re playing against and that’s why I love playing in games like that because they constantly see me as a threat and that’s something I’ve always wanted to be.” “

There’s no denying the impact Skattebo had during his senior campaign. He totaled 1,568 yards with 19 touchdowns and added 506 yards receiving with three more scores. While it’s true that he hasn’t faced a defense of the Longhorns’ caliber this year, it’s fair to say that Texas hasn’t faced the type of challenge he presents either.

“Like I said, I feel like I’m the best,” Skattebo said. “No matter who they played, I still think I’m the best.

“I’m looking forward to playing against these guys because I’m going to present them something new that they’ve never seen before. I’m excited and hope they’re ready to play some football.”

Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.

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