Arizona State vs Texas prediction & betting tips - Jan. 1 - College Football Playoff

The Arizona State Sun Devils play the Texas Longhorns in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday with the game being the Peach Bowl. The game can be seen on ESPN.

Arizona State won the Big 12 and finished the year with a 12-2 record. Texas, meanwhile, went 12-2 losing in the SEC Championship and beating Clemson 38–24 in the first round of the playoff.

Arizona State vs Texas: Preview

Arizona State is a 13.5-point underdog, while the over/under is set at 52 points.

The Sun Devils were expected to be one of the worst teams in the Big 12 but ended up winning the conference and a bye in the playoffs. Arizona State is led by Sam Leavitt who threw for 2,663 yards 24 touchdowns and five interceptions, while Cam Skattebo rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns. Jordan Tyson also leads the team with 1,568 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns.

Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian knows stopping Skattebo will be key to Texas' success.

“We’ve been watching him for about the past year and a half, and now we’ve got to figure out a way to stop him,” Sarkisian said, via Yahoo. “When you first turn on his tape, you’re thinking you’re going to see (former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back) Mike Alstott."

"You’re just going to see this bruiser that’s running through the line and bouncing off people. The more you watch, the more you’re like, ‘Man, this guy has really great feet and contact balance. Right when you think he’s going to run someone over, he makes them miss. He uses a stiff arm. He’s really good in the open field.'”

The Sun Devils' defense is led by Clayton Smith, who has four sacks, Keith Abney II, three interceptions, and Myles Rowser, 93 tackles.

Texas, meanwhile, is led by Quinn Ewers who has thrown for 2,867 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Quintrevion Wisner has rushed for 973 yards and five touchdowns while Matthew Golden has 787 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Despite the Sun Devils being big underdogs, coach Kenny Dillingham has confidence in his group.

"I think any competitor, regardless of what you do, you want a chance to compete versus the very best, and if you don’t want to do that, then you’re not a competitor. I think that’s what our guys are excited for is that opportunity," Dillingham said, via SI.

"I’m excited to see our guys get out there and be able to do just that. We’re 14-point underdogs, and rightfully so. We’re playing a really good football team. But at the same token, I’m excited to see our guys go compete as hard as they can compete for as long as they can compete, play smart and tough football, take care of the ball and be about the team for 60 minutes and see what happens.”

ASU will have to get off to a fast start as Texas' defense is legit, especially the front seven which will cause problems for Skattebo. Ultimately, the Longhorns' defense will be the difference maker in this game as Texas will be able to limit the Sun Devils' offense to get a win and advance to the semifinals.

Prediction: Texas 31, Arizona State 17

Arizona State vs Texas: Betting tips

Tip 1: Texas -13.5 (-115)

Tip 2: Over 52 points (-110)

Tip 3: Matthew Golden 60+ receiving yards (+100)