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As the College Football Playoff heats up, legendary coach Urban Meyer has weighed in on the highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup between Texas and Arizona State. After an impressive 38-24 win over Clemson, Meyer sees Texas as a dominant force, especially in the trenches, where he believes games of this magnitude are often won or lost.
Arizona State enters the matchup as an underdog, having exceeded expectations this season. Despite their Big 12 Championship win over Iowa State, Meyer sees the Longhorns as a “buzzsaw” that the Sun Devils will struggle to dull. Speaking on The Triple Option, Meyer praised Texas for its balance and strength on both sides of the line of scrimmage, calling it the key factor that separates championship teams from the rest.
“We won three national titles, and the reason we won is the line of scrimmage,” Meyer explained. “As you start to get higher, the more competitive the games are. A lot of times, unless you just have an absolute freak of freaks at skill positions, those skill sets start to equalize. The line of scrimmage becomes the difference because it’s going to be a field position game.”
Texas demonstrated that dominance against Clemson, utilizing a combination of a stout defensive line and a powerful offensive front to control the game. Meyer emphasized that Texas’s ability to win battles in the trenches gives them a clear advantage over Arizona State. “Texas up front, offense and defense, I think they cover the spread,” he said. “If they can get that quarterback healthy, what other team has more balance on both lines than the University of Texas right now?”
The Longhorns have had a resurgent season under head coach Steve Sarkisian, riding a balanced attack and a disciplined defense. Their offensive line has been instrumental in opening up running lanes and protecting the quarterback, while their defensive line has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks and stopped the run. This balance has made them one of the most complete teams in the playoff field.
Arizona State, on the other hand, has relied on a high-octane offense and a scrappy defense to reach this stage. Under first-year head coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils have surprised many by winning the Big 12 Championship and earning a bye into the quarterfinals. Their offense, led by a dynamic quarterback and a versatile receiving corps, has been electric, while their defense has made key stops in critical moments.
However, Meyer believes Texas’s physicality and depth will ultimately be too much for Arizona State to handle. While praising the Sun Devils’ season and effort, he remains firm in his assessment that the Longhorns are a more complete team.
The stage is set for a thrilling battle between two teams with contrasting styles. Arizona State will look to continue its underdog story and prove doubters wrong, while Texas aims to capitalize on its momentum and advance to the semifinals.
With the stakes higher than ever, the game will likely come down to who can impose their will at the line of scrimmage—a battle Urban Meyer believes Texas is well-equipped to win. Whether his prediction holds true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the College Football Playoff is delivering all the drama and excitement fans could hope for.
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