College GameDay host takes clear stance on Steve Sarkisian’s Texas ahead of CFP quarterfinals

The fourth-ranked Texas Longhorns will play the 10th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils on Wednesday in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The matchup will occur in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Ahead of the game, ESPN "College GameDay" host Rece Davis predicted that the Longhorns, seeded fifth in the CFP, would win.

On Tuesday on the "College GameDay Podcast," Davis talked about why he believes Texas (12-2, the No. 5 seed in the CFP) will defeat Arizona State (11-2, the No. 4 seed)). He predicted UT coach Steve Sarkisian will lead his team to a strong performance.

"I think you're going to get Texas' absolute A-game, and I'll start the predictions here. I think Texas is going to win and cover the spread," Davis said.

Earlier in the podcast, Davis and his co-hosts Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly discussed potential issues with Sarkisian's team committing turnovers and failing to score in the red zone. Davis thinks the Longhorns could be the only ones standing in their way of advancing to the CFP semifinals.

"The only way that I think that they don't (beat Arizona State) is if they do some of the things that we talked about earlier," Davis said. "If they don't convert in the red zone, if they turn the ball over, which they've done a ton, but I think Texas will overpower Arizona State and pull away in this game."

Thamel and Connelly agreed that Sarkisian's team would beat the Sun Devils.

Texas defense could play key role in the Peach Bowl

All three podcasters agreed that the Longhorns' defense will play a key role in the team's ability to overwhelm their opponent. Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham may rely on running back Cam Skattebo to get the offense going in the Peach Bowl.

Skattebo enters the game with 263 carries for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Bill Connelly believes that the running back's performance is important for the team's chances of victory.

"Skattebo has to just carry so much weight in this game, and he might, but it's going to be rough," Connelly said.

The Longhorns are fifth in the SEC in fewest rushing yards allowed, with 1,463 yards. If Sarkisian can help the team stifle Arizona State's running game, it could make the Sun Devils rely on passing the football. The Sun Devils are ninth in the Big 12 in passing yards with 2,917. Meanwhile, the Longhorns have allowed the fewest passing yards in the SEC with 2,196.

The Longhorns' defense could be why Davis' prediction of the team overpowering Arizona State may come true.