The Texas Longhorns’ head coach emphasized the challenge of facing the Arizona State Sun Devils in the upcoming Peach Bowl, part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Arizona State enters the game as the fourth seed, having earned a bye after defeating Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 Championship Game. This marks a significant achievement for the Sun Devils, as it is their first year in the Big 12 conference.
The Longhorns, ranked fifth, are coming off a 38-24 victory over 12th-seeded Clemson in the first round of the playoffs. The Peach Bowl showdown is set for January 1, with both teams aiming for a spot in the CFP semifinals.
Texas head coach praised the Sun Devils’ success this season under Kenny Dillingham, particularly highlighting their rapid rise to winning a conference championship. He noted the difficulty of winning a Big 12 title, recalling that Texas managed to secure only four titles during their 27 years in the conference. Sarkisian also acknowledged Arizona State’s recent strong performance, stating they’ve been playing exceptional football over the last two months.
Both coaches exchanged mutual admiration during media appearances. The Longhorns’ head coach called Dillingham a “very bright football coach,” commending his strategic approach to all phases of the game. He expressed respect for Dillingham’s ability to think independently and adapt his coaching style to best suit his team, rather than strictly adhering to traditional coaching manuals.
On the other side, Dillingham reciprocated the praise, highlighting the adaptability of his opponent. He noted that the Longhorns’ offensive schemes have evolved significantly over the years, crediting Sarkisian for his willingness to innovate despite past successes. Dillingham described this adaptability as rare among successful coaches, emphasizing how Sarkisian has stayed ahead of the curve in modern college football.
Interestingly, this is not the first meeting between the two coaches. In 2019, Dillingham served as Auburn’s offensive coordinator when they defeated Alabama, whose offensive coordinator at the time was Sarkisian, in the Iron Bowl.
The Peach Bowl winner will advance to face the victor of the matchup between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 1 Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinals.