The Texas Longhorns have punched their ticket to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff after securing a thrilling 39-31 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils on January 3, 2024, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game, marked by rollercoaster emotions and heated controversies, saw Texas survive two overtimes against a fierce underdog.
From the start, the contest promised excitement as the Sun Devils took the lead with a 39-yard field goal early on. The Longhorns quickly responded with quarterback Quinn Ewers throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeAndre Moore. Texas extended their lead to 14-3 following a dazzling 75-yard punt return by Silas Bolden. Arizona State managed to bring the game closer with a safety and another field goal, trailing 17-8 at halftime.
Heading to the fourth quarter, tensions ran high. Ewers scored on a five-yard rush to push Texas’s lead to 24-16, but Arizonas State would not go down easily. They responded with their own trick play, as running back Cam Skattebo connected with receiver Malik McClain for 42 yards, leading to another successful two-point conversion. The game became tied at 24-24 when Skattebo powered his way to the end zone with just two minutes remaining.
The climax came as both teams entered overtime, where Arizona State struck first, scoring on Skattebo’s three-yard run. Texas faced immense pressure, but Ewers delivered, connecting on a fourth-and-thirteen to Matthew Golden for the 28-yard touchdown. The Longhorns converted another touchdown in the second overtime, then managed to halt Arizona State's drive thanks to great defensive plays, including Andrew Mukuba’s interception.
Despite the thrilling finish, the game has sparked heated debates and controversies, particularly concerning a controversial non-call for targeting against Texas's Michael Taaffe. Late in the fourth quarter, Taaffe's helmet-to-helmet hit on Arizona State’s Melquan Stovall was reviewed but deemed not to have met the targeting criteria. This decision has ignited outrage among fans, analysts, and former referees alike, with many questioning the officiation's consistency.
Pat McAfee, ESPN commentator, voiced his frustrations passionately, stating, "Should’ve won the game... targeting with helmet to helmet. That’s game over. That’s first down. That’s game over —unless it’s not called." This sentiment reflects the strong consensus among football analysts, with Gene Steratore, former NFL official and current rules analyst, acknowledging on social media, "Yes, this should have been a flag for targeting... It meets all of the criteria of targeting."
Scott Van Pelt from ESPN echoed these concerns, insisting, "That's targeting a hundred times out of a hundred." The debate over this non-call highlights the controversial nature of officiation within college football. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark also called for a review of the targeting call, stating, "Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiation to establish national standards going forward."
Looking forward, Texas will face Ohio State at AT&T Stadium for the Cotton Bowl on January 10, 2024. This matchup promises to be another exhilarating contest as Texas builds on their dramatic victory over Arizona State. Anticipation among fans and analysts alike is at its peak, with Texas eager to make its mark on the playoff stage.
The thrilling nature of this game and the controversies surrounding it reinforce the shifting dynamics of college football. It emphasizes the spectacle of the playoff system and suggests significant progress, yet it also underlines the challenges and biases facing underdog teams like Arizona State.
With their classic clash now behind them, Texas and Ohio State prepare for one of the season’s most awaited games. Will Texas build on this momentum, or will Ohio State halt their progress? All eyes will be glued to the action as these two titans face off with history and pride on the line.