Utah/BYU Fans React After Arizona State Peach Bowl Comeback Falls Short

ATLANTA, Georgia- The Arizona State Sun Devils are representing the Big 12 Conference in the College Football Playoff, playing in their first game after receiving a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed. Arizona State was in Atlanta, Georgia for the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl where they took on the Texas Longhorns, who defeated Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Many eyes here locally were fixed on the matchup between the Sun Devils and Longhorns, as both the BYU Cougars and Utah Utes lost to Arizona State during the course of the 2024 Big 12 season and are curious to see how their conference mates would match up with at top-tier SEC opponent.

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE 🤘‼️#HookEm | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/AKWK2dbSzC

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 1, 2025

Cougar fans were hoping for a rematch with the Sun Devils in the Big 12 Championship Game, but two late-season losses and tie-breakers kept them from the opportunity, leaving many to wonder how BYU would’ve faired had they gotten the chance in the College Football Playoff.

BYU to Arizona State: pic.twitter.com/3icGWSAyJo

— Mattitude (@mattreedah) January 1, 2025

Skattebo really was the difference in ASU being 6-6 and 11-2, huh? The moment Skattebo can't run, Leavitt turns into a pumpkin.

— Some.BYU.Dude (@ByuSome) January 1, 2025

America, say hello to the one true CFB playoff snub this season: pic.twitter.com/6UQt49FDtH

— Geoff Johnston (@geoffjBYU) December 31, 2024

The College Football Playoff committee should do the right thing and invite BYU to play the second half against Texas.

— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) January 1, 2025

I hope Texas continues to pound ASU. With how much their team has talked and the arrogance they’ve shown, I don’t even care that they are a Big 12 team.

Hook em!

— Jackson Emery (@jacksonemery04) January 1, 2025

If Arizona State has Will Ferrin they would be winning 20-17, but their kicker stinks sooo…..

— Philly Sports BYU (@PhillySportsBYU) January 1, 2025

I promise you that BYU, Iowa State, K-State, Colorado, and probably Kansas would be playing better than Arizona State right now.

— ksu_kid (@ksukid02) January 1, 2025

BYU would have given Texas a better game than Arizona State

— Silva and Gold Sports Talk (@silvagoldsports) January 1, 2025

BYU lost to this Arizona State team?!?!

— TrashyUte4 (@TrashyUte4) January 1, 2025

Furious Sun Devil Comeback Forces Overtime

After falling behind 24-8 with 10:17 to play, things looked bleak for the Sun Devils. Rather than fold, Arizona State rattled off 16 straight points to force overtime.

The furious comeback and instant classic game had fans changing their tune as the fourth quarter progressed.

BYU fans thought they still deserved to be in it or nah?

Consider Arizona State.

— Blake Allen Murphy (@blakemurphy7) January 1, 2025

Despite the loss, I'm glad Arizona State went out there and represented the conference well.

Total garbage that only one Big XII team was in the playoffs.

— BYU Blue (@BYUbluThru) January 1, 2025

Overrated?
Texas, Alabama, South Carolina

Underrated?
Arizona State, Iowa State, BYU

— BYU Mars (@Mars_12345678) January 1, 2025

My takeaway from this Arizona State performance is that BYU deserved a playoff spot send tweet

— Drew Schoenberger (@ItzBigDrew) January 1, 2025

Arizona State and BYU also subsequently won their hypothetical games against Alabama and Ole Miss today. So, that’s exciting!

— Marissa (@molberdang) January 1, 2025

BYU was 🤏🏽 this close to beating Arizona state, who has outplayed Texas.

BYU should’ve been in the field, and you cannot change my mind.

— Paul Evans (@paulevans_5) January 1, 2025

Arizona state is making a statement. That statement is that BYU should've clearly been in as well. Everyone told you that the Big12 couldn't hang with a top SEC team, and they are wrong.

— Pirate Poke 🍊🏴‍☠️ (@Ahoy0247) January 1, 2025

Despite their loss, I'm convinced BYU is a better team than Arizona State. Watching this game, obviously ASU belongs in the playoff. So does BYU. Ridiculous they aren't.

Hats off to the Sun Devils for tying this game after being 16 points down in the 4th, though. Forks up!

— BYU Blue (@BYUbluThru) January 1, 2025

Arizona State just solidified my belief that Iowa State or BYU should have absolutely been in the playoff. Big 12 was jobbed for a terrible ACC.

— Colt Barber (@Colt_Barber) January 1, 2025

A crazy game. So many mistakes by both teams that you could argue each team should have easily won in regulation, but Texas won a relatively even game in overtime against Arizona State. A classic indeed.

— Philly Sports BYU (@PhillySportsBYU) January 1, 2025

This bowl season has made a strong argument that BYU deserved to be in closer consideration for one of the last spots in.

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 1, 2025

@KennyDillingham You represented all of us from the @Big12 well my brother. We are proud of u and your team. God bless u all. You’re awesome COTY.

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) January 1, 2025

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For more information on BYU football, follow our BYU insider Mitch Harper. Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on Twitter/X and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.

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Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports, covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.