Steve Sarkisian, Kenny Dillingham reveal similar keys to Peach Bowl victory to advance in College Football Playoffs
Kudos to Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham. He didn’t give out generic coach-speak when asked Monday if the Sun Devils were “just happy to be here” in the Peach Bowl. He was honest. “There is no doubt we are playing with house money. To say we are not is just a lie,” Dillingham told reporters […]
Kudos to Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham. He didn’t give out generic coach-speak when asked Monday if the Sun Devils were “just happy to be here” in the Peach Bowl. He was honest.
“There is no doubt we are playing with house money. To say we are not is just a lie,” Dillingham told reporters at Peach Bowl media day.
“Like, nobody expected us to be here. But if you’re a competitor and you wake up a day not wanting to compete versus the very best, then something is wrong with you.”
The Sun Devils were picked to be one of the worst teams in the Big 12. Instead, the won the league. Arizona State (11-2) is officially the higher-seeded team at No. 4 compared to No. 5 Texas in the College Football Playoffs. The Longhorns (12-2) are double-digit favorites, though.
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“I think coach Dillingham has done an awesome job,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “What he took over was not an easy task. He’s done a tremendous job, he, the staff, their players. They play hard. I've got a ton of respect for him. And I’m an old Pac-10, Pac-12 guy.”
Both coaches offered their keys to victory Monday.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s keys to victory
“I think the ball is paramount. Their turnover margin is incredible. I think they're plus-15 on the year, something like that, plus-16.
“I think there's a lot of physicality that we're going to have to play this game with on both lines of scrimmage, and ultimately scoring touchdowns in the red area.
“I don't think we can walk out of here thinking we're going to win this game 13 to 10. We’re going to have to score some points. And to be able to do that, we're going to have to be really efficient in the red area.”
ASU coach Kenny Dillingham’s keys to victory
“You don't turn the football over. Obviously win the turnover battle. Fourth down, you've got to win fourth downs. He's going to go for it. He has not punted on one fourth-and-one all year, which I'm the same way. We both haven't on any fourth-and-one.
“When it becomes fourth-and-one, are we converting or are we stopping them? That's the game. That's the turnover. You're going to talk about turnovers and fourth-and-ones and explosive plays. We have to win those three categories of the football game.”
