Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt had a lot to say about the upcoming College Football Playoff game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Texas Longhorns.
The Longhorns are 13.5 favorites for the game, and several fans expect them to make it look easy in the process. Count Klatt among those people as he agrees and shared his prediction for the game’s outcome on Monday’s episode of “The Joel Klatt Show.”
Joel Klatt Gives Clear Opinion on Outcome of Texas vs. ASU Peach Bowl Game
Klatt didn’t mince words as he expressed his opinion that the No. 5 Longhorns would prove too much for the No. 4 Sun Devils.
Joel Klatt does not see the Longhorns struggling against the Sun Devils’ offense, describing Texas as having “one of the best pass defenses in college football.”
“I think in the end, Texas’ defense is probably too much,” Klatt said. “I don’t think [Sam] Leavitt (ASU QB) is going to be able to throw the football on one of the best pass defenses in college football in the Texas Longhorns. I think that Texas will be able to load up and put skilled, fast, quality defenders on [Cam] Skattebo. And because of that, it’s going to be too much for the 60 minutes.”
Klatt doesn’t completely dismiss the Sun Devils, predicting that ASU will likely “have the lead at halftime.”
“While ASU might even have the lead at halftime, I think Texas pulls away in the second half …,” Klatt continued. “I like Texas winning this game 31-21.”
Klatt Questions Quinn Ewers’ Role in Peach Bowl
Though Klatt is convinced that Texas will win their Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl matchup over Arizona State, there is one Longhorns player that leaves room for doubt — and that is starting quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Ewers is certainly controversial. The Longhorns’ QB has put on some incredible performances and has been a pillar in Texas’ lineup, but there have been times when he has struggled, notably against ranked opponents.
Ewers’ inconsistency has caused fans to question if he’s fit for a starting position. Some have even suggested that his backup, Arch Manning, is the better quarterback and should be the starter.
For this reason, Klatt believes that the outcome of the game might depend on the version of Ewers that shows up.
“I think that the biggest pause I have for Texas is actually Ewers,” Klatt said. “I said this before the first game, and I’ll say it again. And it’s like, if he’s asked to go out there and be the reason that Texas wins? I’ve got my questions about that.”
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“But, if they can just handle their business in every other area, and he can just manage the game, execute the Sark [head coach Steve Sarkisian] game plan? Then I’m fine with Ewers.”
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