Ohio State may have claimed the College Football Playoff (CFP) championship title, but Texas football etched its name in history by being part of what many consider “one of the greatest college football games ever played.”
The matchup between Texas and Arizona State embodied everything a quintessential CFP game should be. The Peach Bowl delivered a spectacle, highlighted by Cam Skattebo’s electrifying performance. His 42-yard touchdown run and 62-yard strike not only earned him the game’s MVP honors but also became defining moments in a contest that will be remembered for years to come.
The game reached its crescendo in a double-overtime thriller, where the final seven minutes became an intense battle of grit, determination, and skill. This pulsating stretch was packed with momentum swings that left fans on the edge of their seats. CBS Sports analyst David Cobb ranked this showdown as the top College Football Playoff game of the season, hailing it as an instant classic.
“The massive momentum shifts and Skattebo’s brilliance make this not just the best CFP game of the year, but one of the greatest ever played,” Cobb remarked. “Skattebo’s versatility was unmatched. He did it all—running, passing, and receiving—as he almost single-handedly erased a 24-8 fourth-quarter deficit to push the game into overtime.”
Beyond being a highlight of the 2024 CFP season, the Peach Bowl has secured its place among the finest college football games of the decade. The Athletic’s David Ubben went as far as to rank it the second-greatest game in the CFP’s 11-year history, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Despite Arizona State’s valiant comeback led by Skattebo, Texas found a way to triumph, even in a dire fourth-and-13 situation late in the game. However, this resilience would be tested again in their subsequent matchup in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State. Unlike the Peach Bowl, the Cotton Bowl exposed Texas’s vulnerabilities, as Ohio State’s defense, led by Jack Sawyer’s pivotal scoop-and-score play, dismantled the Longhorns’ hopes of advancing to the national championship.
Still, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian entered the offseason with optimism. Early predictions for the 2025 season position the Longhorns as strong contenders, even surpassing national title hopefuls like Ohio State and Notre Dame. The Peach Bowl victory, with its “greatest ever” label, serves as a testament to Sarkisian’s leadership and the team’s potential moving forward.
While Ryan Day and the Buckeyes ultimately celebrated their CFP title, it’s undeniable that Texas vs. Arizona State stole much of the spotlight, delivering a game that will be immortalized in college football lore.
