Picture this: a high-stakes College Football Playoff game, two quarterbacks with something to prove, and one legendary coach lurking with a secret weapon. Sounds like a movie, right? But nope, that’s the setup for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt is rolling into Atlanta with all the swagger and a massive chip on his shoulder. And on the other sideline? Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns are scheming something big—maybe even big enough to involve Arch Manning. It’s not just a football game; it’s a showdown for the ages.

Leavitt has been making noise all week, calling out the doubters and questioning the odds, which favor Texas by 13.5 points. “People keep counting me out since day one,” Leavitt said. “I’m going to put everybody on the map.” Bold words, but can the redshirt freshman really back them against a powerhouse like Texas? You gotta respect the confidence. On Saturday, Leavitt made it clear that he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with Texas veteran Quinn Ewers, saying, “I’m going to prove why I’m the better quarterback.” But this ain’t Iowa. That’s the million-dollar question, and Sark might just have a $50 million answer sitting on the bench. Steve Sarkisian literally has a chance to do the funniest thing ever.

Let’s be real—Sark isn’t leaving anything to chance. Look, Quinn Ewers has been solid, throwing for 2,867 yards and 26 touchdowns despite battling injuries. But in a win-or-go-home situation, every option’s on the table. Enter Arch Manning, the golden boy of the Manning dynasty. While the Longhorns have kept Manning on ice most of the season, don’t be in awe if Sark pulls out the trump card when the stakes hit DEFCON 1.

Look, Texas offense in 2024 has been a problem to any defense that is not named Bulldogs, they’ve been averaging over 35.79 points. The Longhorns rank 8th in the nation in total yardage. The Sun Devils’ defense? Solid, but not invincible. They’ll need to bring their A-game, and even then, it might not be enough to stop Texas’ firepower. With Arch Manning, Texas has enough firepower to burn down the entire Georgia town & smoke Sam Leavitt’s master plan. But make no mistake, Sam Leavitt ain’t no slouch. The kid’s seen everything on his way up to holding ASU’s trident.

Sam Leavitt’s career saga: from overlooked to undeniable

Leavitt’s journey to the Peach Bowl is like something out of a football movie—Friday Night Lights meets Rudy. “I’ve kind of always been underlooked my entire career,” Leavitt said. “Dating back to high school, early on I wasn’t even a high recruit, three-star, had about two offers going into my senior year.” Sounds like a classic case of nobody believed in us, right? But here’s the twist—Leavitt balled out his senior year, leveled up to four-star status, and still didn’t get the love from SEC schools.

Even after transferring from Michigan State to ASU, Leavitt was just another name on the ASU’s roster. “Didn’t have a name on my back and had to work for everything,” he said. Fast forward, and now the man’s leading his team 11-2 season & into the College Football Playoff after beating the L out of Iowa in the Big 12 championship game. If that’s not a flex, I don’t know what is.

So, what’s it gonna take for Leavitt to pull off the upset? First off, he’ll need to play mistake-free football. The Longhorns’ defense has also been a menace, only allowing 11.54 points per game on average. The Texas defense got a 94.6+ grade. It thrives on turnovers, and giving them extra possessions is like handing Sark a loaded bazooka. Then, the Sun Devils’ offensive line has to hold up against Texas’ pass rush, which can get nasty in a hurry.

This isn’t just a game; it’s a collision of narratives. You’ve got Leavitt, the scrappy underdog with everything to prove, versus Ewers, the seasoned vet with a superstar waiting in the wings. Add in Sark’s chess moves and Texas’ offensive firepower, and you’ve got the recipe for an instant classic. So buckle up, folks. The Peach Bowl is about to serve up drama, fireworks, and maybe—just maybe—a Cinderella story for the ages. Or, you know, Texas might just remind everyone why they’re Texas. Either way, it’s a must-watch TV.