With the Peach Bowl CFP quarterfinal between the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils just days away, the predictions are rolling in. CBS Sports’ Josh Pate had some interesting takes as he announced his pick for the game.
Even though this is a college football playoff game, Pate wonders if this is a
“look ahead” or trap game for the Horns. “It feels like a look ahead spot,” Pate explained. “It feels like a little letdown, look ahead spot and that’s not supposed to exist in the playoff.”
Pate also says this will be the first test of the whether its an advantage to have the first round off. “We also get to test the bye week vs. the rest theory,” he said. “Texas had to play against Clemson. Arizona State had the bye. What’s the impact of that? We don’t know. We’re about to find out.”
Pate feels the key to the game is Texas QB Quinn Ewers. “This game hinges on Quinn Ewers, as it always was going to,” Pate said. “If Ewers B+ or better, Texas will win this game. Whether they cover or not they will win the game. If he plays A- or better ball they will win and cover. And that’s if Arizona State plays at their peak, because Texas is better than Arizona State.”
Pate’s biggest concern for the Longhorns is their occasional difficulty capitalizing on the scoreboard to domination within the game. “Texas games have done this this year with Quinn Ewers a few times,” he explained. “Texas has dominated everywhere but the scoreboard. All of these (stats) categories indicate a lopsided game. Then you look at the scoreboard and it’s 13-6. What’s happening here? What’s happening is you’re somewhat limited because the dynamic at quarterback is not such that you can stretch the game. And if that happens in this game, then Arizona State could pull an upset.”
So what’s his forecast of the game? “I’ll take Arizona State to keep it within the number (spread),” he Pate said. “I will take Texas to win. I don’t think big upsets are going to happen in the playoffs.”