A program that appeared to be dead in the water flipped its destiny in just a year and is celebrating a Big 12 championship win. ASU football is now preparing for its biggest game in recent memory – the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
"A year ago today, I went to Walmart and didn't see one ASU shirt," said senior running back Cam Skattebo in an interview with Sun Devil Source. "Now, I see a whole section, and everybody in the store's wearing it."
ASU fought all season long. ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham is adamant that the program enjoys the process day in and day out and sticks to its core values. The path to success is a long and hard one but they have enjoyed the journey as a team.
"That's exactly what we're doing," said senior defensive tackle CJ Fite in an interview with The Walk Podcast. "We work hard every day, but at the same time, we're having fun. There was just a video, and it was us working out, but then it was like each video of us working out, we're smiling, we're laughing."
This mindset has had the team proving doubters wrong all season – from being picked to finish last in the Big 12 to being a heavy underdog in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The road has led ASU to the formidable No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns to open up 2025.
With doubt comes uncertainty on the national level. ASU will take on one of the top teams in the SEC. Even after proving the nation wrong time and time again, Dillingham and his Sun Devils will have to play the underdog role in the CFP against a favored Texas team.
"I think any competitor, regardless of what you do, wants a chance to compete versus the very best, and if you don't want to do that, then you're not a competitor," Dillingham said in a press conference. "I think that's what our guys are excited for is that opportunity.”
Eyes will be centered on the quarterbacks for both programs. Junior quarterback Quinn Ewers for Texas, and redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt for ASU.
Like Skattebo, Leavitt believes he is being doubted, and his numbers can back up that thought process.
READ MORE: Is Sam Leavitt the best freshman quarterback in football?
He took to the podium to express his excitement to go toe-to-toe with one of the nation's best.
"I've watched him for a fair amount of time now," Leavitt said in an interview with Sun Devil Source. "I'm just excited for the opportunity. People keep counting me out since day one, and I will prove why I'm the better quarterback."
Both quarterbacks have offensive coaches to help guide them through the difficulty of playing under center: Dillingham for Leavitt and Texas' Steve Sarkisian for Ewers.
The fourth-year head coach for the Longhorns is known for his innovative offense, given evolution is the name of the game for college football. The Sun Devils should expect to see some new Longhorns' plays and looks when they take the field on New Years Day.
"There's a lot of good offensive schemes out there, and then there are offensive coaches who change their scheme and are constantly getting better," Dillingham said. "I think that's something that he's done as good if not better than anybody in the country is if you turned on his tape from 10 years ago, it's going to be unrecognizable to his tape right now."
Some may see Texas as an offense-first team with Sarkisian at the helm. While true, the defense has been one of the nation's best this season. Texas is the second-best defense overall when it comes to PFF grading and has stars throughout its program.
Junior defensive back Michael Taaffe and senior defensive back Jahdae Barron headline the unit. The front seven is also blooming with talent for Texas, as freshman linebacker Colin Simmons has had a great year along with senior defensive lineman Alfred Collins.
"It's all based upon coverages and looks that they give you," Leavitt said in a press conference. "They've got No. 7, and 4 and 16 are all good players. I'm just excited for the matchups and see what we can do and how we match up come game time."
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Ramirez and Alexis Heichman.
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Daniel is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his first semester with The State Press. He has also worked at WCSN, OC Riptide, 1550 Sports and AZPreps365.
