Arizona State AD: Peach Bowl will show how ‘well-resourced’ football program is

With Christmas in the rearview mirror, Arizona State football is officially in game mode with Texas and the Peach Bowl awaiting them in Atlanta on New Year’s Day.

The Sun Devils first truly garnered national attention when they became Big 12 champions three weeks back, but the stage of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals could really move the needle.

Coach Kenny Dillingham hasn’t been shy about how he feels about ASU’s place among the elite. Even opposing Texas coach Steve Sarkisian recognizes an impressive run when he sees one.

Cinderella CFP appearance aside, Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Thursday the program has been built for sustained success.

“We want to beat (Texas) and help the country understand the style of football we play here, the excitement around our program and more importantly the culture and the way the team is so connected, they’re so well coached, so well-resourced,” Rossini said.

“Every day there’s an opportunity to open a new door, create a new connection, and that’s what we’re hard at work trying to do.”

The transfer portal, which remains open until Saturday, is proof of the upswing in ASU football. The Sun Devils have added six players, headlined by Army running back Kanye Udoh, and have not seen the mass departures of some regional foes, like rival Arizona (14 to 33 players, respectively). Competing in Texas three times, including the Big 12 title game, and the regional expansion of their conference schedule are just two factors in ASU’s growing popularity.

Rossini credited ASU’s coaching staff for its eagerness to stay on top of recruiting while preparing for the No. 5-seed Longhorns. From the moment they were crowned conference champions, the focus was first on roster retention and then future player signings.

Some players on their way out, like tight end Markeston Douglas who will be transferring to Florida State, are staying with the Sun Devils to finish the season. This was an option put into place by Dillingham, and it just reinforced the tight-knit fabric of the program he is actively shaping.

From picked last in Big 12 preseason polls to being a fixture in the first 12-team College Football Playoff, ASU football has still not been treated like a legitimate contender. The worst insult being ESPN’s “College Football Live” recently displaying University of Arizona’s logo rather than the Sun Devil pitchfork.

Though the nation may still not recognize talent outside of Sam Leavitt and Cam Skattebo, the Valley has shown tremendous support of the Maroon & Gold. Rossini said he has seen a significant increase in Sun Angel Collective membership, as name, image and likeness deals further cement themselves in collegiate sports.

“A number of new businesses are identifying that, hey, a Sun Devil football player is the perfect person to represent my business, my product, my service,” Rossini said. “There was a lot of excitement when Coach Dillingham got to the Valley two years ago, and we’re seeing numbers even accelerate far beyond the first couple years he was here.”

Rossini estimated that ASU football has more than 2,000 new season-ticket accounts since they went on sale. Fans have also been renewing their season ticket passes at a 15% greater rate than this time last year.

ASU football players are in for a memorable ride at Peach Bowl

After their plane lands in Atlanta on Sunday night, Rossini said the team will attend a welcome reception before getting into media day and community outreach on Monday.

Georgia Tech will be the local host for ASU football as they ramp up practice before Wednesday.

“Part of the benefit of playing in the CFP is the experience we get to create for the football players,” Rossini said. “They’ll have a really good setup at the hotel with some player hospitality, some video game rooms, some lounges, some gift suites and some ways to really reward what these guys have earned.”

Rossini recalled about a dozen members from the program’s only other Peach Bowl appearance in 1970 attending this year’s team banquet on Dec. 8. As those 54-year-old champions were still vividly reminiscing about the game, Rossini said he is excited for the experience the Sun Devils of today will have once the “red carpet” is rolled out by the CFP committee.

Arizona State doing the most for fans’ Peach Bowl watching experience

Those who can’t make the trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium need not fret — there are more than a few ways to take in the Peach Bowl.

Rossini encouraged fans to visit one of many Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers Valley locations to watch the big game. With the Sam Leavitt QB10 Wrap on its October menu and Skatteburger having debuted in November, the sports bar has been a proud partner of Sun Devil football by hosting watch parties this entire season.

Another option is to experience the game on a movie screen at one of two participating Harkins Theatres. For $22, which includes a small popcorn, fans can witness the CFP quarterfinal unlike anywhere else.

The Peach Bowl, featuring No.4-seed ASU and No.5-seed Texas, will kick off at 11 a.m. on Jan. 1. Listen to the game on 98.7, ArizonaSports.com or the Arizona Sports app. Watch live TV coverage on ESPN.

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