Sun Devils Tune Out Peach Bowl Rivalry, Focus on Their Own Game Plan

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State University is gearing up for the Peach Bowl, where they will face either Clemson or Texas on New Year’s Day. The Sun Devils, fresh off a six-game winning streak, look to continue their ascent in college football despite a hiatus from four-quarter play since a narrow victory over BYU on November 23.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham expressed concern about the team’s readiness. “We haven’t played a full game since BYU. It’s been almost six weeks since we’ve played four quarters,” he stated, noting that starters had minimal time on the field during the latter parts of their previous games against Arizona and Iowa State.

After dominating performances against strong opponents, including a decisive win over No. 16 Iowa State, Dillingham is trying to keep the team’s focus sharp. “We’re not preparing for that game yet. We’re preparing for us,” he affirmed, indicating a commitment to fine-tuning their strategies.

Belief in Arizona State’s football program is at an all-time high, especially as they defy preseason predictions that placed them last in the Big 12. A recent Sports Illustrated report highlighted their unexpected rise as one of the top betting stories, ranking it sixth among the most improbable results in sports history.

Dillingham downplayed suggestions that their journey is purely miraculous. He stated, “Maybe just the changing of the college landscape has opened up an opportunity to be greater outliers,” reinforcing that his team had the potential for success from the start.

As they prepare for the playoffs, Arizona State remains the underdog, entering with the lowest odds (+6,000) to capture the national championship, alongside Clemson and Boise State. They are set to face either No. 5 Texas or No. 12 Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with that matchup scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in Austin, Texas.