Texas’ next challenge? Stopping the battering ram that is Cam Skattebo in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Arizona State’s dynamic downhill runner put the Sun Devils on his back and carried them to the Big 12 championship this season. Skattebo finished third in the league in rushing with 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Peach Bowl is also the College Football Playoffs quarterfinals. At this point, every team will have great players, as does fifth-seeded Texas.
The Longhorns are headed to Atlanta with the nation’s 10th-best run defense. Texas held Clemson to just 76 rushing yards in Saturday’s win and had a key goal-line stand that provided rocket fuel for the unit’s confidence.
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“Haven’t looked at the scouting report yet on Arizona State. Can’t wait to do it,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “Obviously a great challenge. When you get a bye week and this type of platform, this type of college football platform, that obviously shows a testament to how good you are as a team.
Texas Longhorns edge rusher Ethan Burke (91) sacks Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) during the game against Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.
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“We’re going to have a really good opponent, and we’re going to respect our opponent. We’re going to get ready for the challenge. I’m so excited for the challenge. I know Barryn (Sorrell) preaches stopping the run all the time, so he’s going to be excited for the challenge, and when the opportunity presents itself, we’re going to be ready to go. We’re going to go get it.”
Same as Taaffe, Sorrell was pumped to be moving on in the CFP.
“Yeah, I’m excited,” Sorrell said. “Obviously I’m blessed just to keep playing and play again on January 1st. But my time being here, I feel like I’ve heard that a lot, that a team is going to come in here and run the ball on us, and I’d like to say there was a different result a lot of those times. Just looking forward to that challenge again.
“Everybody up front is going to be looking forward to that challenge, especially this box, because that’s what we do as a defense. We just harp on stopping the run. It’ll be fun for that challenge for sure.”
Cornerback Jahdae Barron knows about Skattebo, calling him “a hard downhill running back.” Barron puts all his trust in defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s game plans.
“It’ll be an amazing challenge,” Barron said. “I’m knowing these guys can get everybody on board to just execute and we’re going to trust PK’s plan and we’re going to have a good plan to do it.”
