Texas returns to Atlanta less than a month after losing the SEC title game to face Arizona State in the CFP

ATLANTA (AP) – The Texas Longhorns were in Atlanta less than a month ago, playing for a championship.

It didn’t go as planned.

Now the Longhorns get an ATL do-over when they face Arizona State at Peach Bowl in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal New Year’s Day.

Fifth-seeded Texas (12-2) insists it has gotten over the disappointment of losing an overtime thriller to Georgia on Dec. 7, a result that denied the Longhorns a title in their debut season as a member of the SEC.

“Obviously we’re going to feel it a little bit, but we want to move on and just get ready for Arizona State,” Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. said. “They’re a good football team and we don’t want to think about that ( Georgia) fight again.”

The Longhorns showed no signs of a hangover when they held by Clemson in the opening round of the expanded 12-team playoff.

If they can knock off Arizona State — Texas is a two-touchdown favorite — it will be back to their home state for a semifinal matchup against either Oregon or Ohio State in the cotton bowl.

Fourth-seeded Arizona State (11-2) has been one of the country’s most surprising teams.

The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago in Kenny Dillingham’s first season as head coach. Making the switch from the disintegrating Pac-12 to the 16-team Big 12, Arizona State was picked to finish dead last this season.

Instead, it tied with three other teams for the top spot in the regular season and claimed the title all for itself in the Big 12 championship game, rolling past Iowa State.

This is a chance for Arizona State to prove to everyone that its stellar season was no fluke.

“We’re going to face one of the best teams in the country, if not the best team in the country,” Dillingham said Tuesday on the eve of the game. “It’s a really big task for our guys. But by the same token, if you’re a competitor, you want to compete against the very best in the best environments.”

Ewers vs. Leavitt

Quinn Ewers has a stellar resume as a Texas quarterback.

Sam Leavitt is out to prove himself he is the better man.

The Arizona State QB has been a major reason for his team’s unexpected success. He’s eager for a head-to-head matchup with Ewers, who has passed for 2,867 yards and 26 touchdowns this season.

Leavitt has put up similar numbers with 2,663 yards and 24 TDs.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity,” he said. “People keep counting me out since Day 1 and I’m going to go prove why I’m the better quarterback.”

Skattebo’s big stage

Cam Skattebo is Arizona State’s biggest stara bowling ball by a running back who has become one of the rare players in FBS history to put up more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

He doesn’t lack confidence either, calling himself the best running back in all of college football.

The Peach Bowl provides an excellent opportunity to back up his bravado, especially against a defense that has struggled with missed tackles.

“I feel like I’m the best,” Skattebo said. “I’m excited to play those guys because I’m going to introduce them to something new that they haven’t seen before. I’m excited and hopefully they’re ready to play some football.”

Ex from Texas

The Longhorns will see plenty of familiar faces as they cross the line.

Half a dozen players on Arizona State’s overhauled roster used to play at Texas. They all ended up in Tempe through the transfer portal.

The list of former Longhorns players also includes receivers Jake Smith and Troy Omeire, defensive back Xavion Alford, defensive ends J’Mond Tapp and Prince Dorbah and defensive tackle Zac Swanson.

“All those guys, obviously, they’re going to be extra pumped to play the Longhorns,” Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe said. “Any time you leave a school and know some people, it’s always fun to play those guys.”

Dillingham said the Texas transfers have had a huge impact on the Arizona State program.

“We know what we’re getting when we get a guy from that program and it’s a guy that’s worked really hard, competed and been pushed,” the Sun Devils coach said. “Those are the things we want to bring in.”

Turn it over

Turnover usually plays a key role in big games. It will be interesting to see how that works out in the Peach Bowl.

Arizona State has only coughed up the ball eight times, tied for the second-fewest turnovers in the FBS. Texas, on the other hand, has forced a nation-leading 29 turnovers.

Dillingham said keeping the pocket clean around Leavitt will be important.

“It all starts with the pass rush,” he said. “They get pass rushes, they get tipped balls. Their defensive line throws windows.”

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praised Skattebo and the rest of the Sun Devils for only losing three fumbles all year, to go along with five interceptions.

“You just don’t fumble the ball. You work on not fumbling the ball,” Sarkisian said. “They’ve done a great job of controlling football games by not turning it over.”

Suspended star

Arizona State will have to play the first half without star defensive back Shamari Simmons, who is suspended for the first two quarters after being ejected for scoring in the Big 12 championship game.

“Shamari is a leader on our team,” Alford said. “It’s very unfortunate that he’s not going to be with us in the first half of the game, but he’ll still be there as a leader and as a teammate on the touchline and things like that.”

Redshirt freshman Montana Warren will take Simmons’ place in the lineup during the first half.

“God always has a plan and I just feel like his plan right now just basically shows who Montana Warren is to the world,” Simmons said. “He’s going to be a great defensive back for Arizona State for a long time to come.”

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP College Football: and