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Peach Bowl preview: ASU vs Texas
FOX 10's Richard Saenz talks to FOX 7 Austin's Julian Martinez about the upcoming Peach Bowl game between Arizona State University and the University of Texas. Texans wanted to know what kind of team the Sun Devils are since they weren't on the national radar all year and the Longhorns are always a Top 10 program.
TEMPE, Ariz. - It's a big week for ASU football fans – the Sun Devils are set to take on the Texas Longhorns in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day.
On Sunday, the team made it to Atlanta after a major send-off by the team’s loyal fan base.
"I happened to be scrolling Facebook and saw that they were having the send-off, so I got super excited and said, ‘I’m going,'" a fan named Deanne Abeita said.
Bob Morris has been an ASU fan since moving to the Valley in the 70s and says he’s enjoyed watching the fan base grow this season.
"The change, not in the team, but the change in the public perception of the team from the beginning of the season until now is just incredible," Morris said.
Now, the team predicted to finish last in the Big 12 has won the conference and earned a spot in the college football playoffs.
"It’s exciting because we’ve been the underdogs since the beginning, so it’s definitely something that’s exciting, and we’re looking forward to it," Abeita said.
Fans all have their favorite players and game day elements.
"I’m definitely a Guillory fan, so you know, just the native culture that he just puts out there. I love it," a fan said.
Another fan named Leiah Arriola said, "I really like the mascot. He brings so much joy and fun to the games, and he really brings the spirit up even when we’re down."
Longtime fan Darryl Bradley says under coach Kenny Dillingham’s leadership, he’s hopeful for more playoff appearances in the future.
"I think it’s been a long time coming having somebody who has ties and grew up in the Valley, you know, an alumni of ASU and just really the passion. You can see where he wants to take the program," Bradley said. "I think we’ve been missing that for all the years that we’ve had in past coaches, so I’m really happy that we have somebody that I guess we can call our own."
The Peach Bowl begins at 11 a.m. on Jan. 1.