Tomorrow, January 1, 2025, marks a historic day in college football: the kickoff of the first-ever college playoff quarterfinals under the new, expanded format — and the Arizona State University Sun Devils take on the Texas Longhorns in the Peach Bowl for the right to move on to the semifinals.
This New Year's Day, put your forks up and tune in at 11 a.m. Mountain (1 p.m. Eastern) on ESPN.
For fans of the Arizona State University Sun Devils, this isn’t just about making history—it’s about reclaiming it.
The historic, undefeated 1996-97 ASU team
Jake "The Snake" Plummer, Umbo co-founder and the quarterback who led ASU to an undefeated regular season in the 1996-97 season, is back on the field. This time, not as a player, but as an honorary captain, walking alongside the Sun Devils as they charge into the Peach Bowl.
This is a moment of legacy-making, pride, and grit.
For Jake, even though he's not playing, this game feels personal. The success of this year's Sun Devil team only fuels memories of that incredible 1996 team and their historic undefeated season that culminated in a Rose Bowl appearance. (Here are some of Jake's memories of that season.) He’s returning to the field to support the program that he helped elevate.
Above, Jake "The Snake" Plummer as an ASU Sun Devil, during the historic undefeated 1996-97 season
Jake Plummer is honorary captain for the Peach Bowl
Jake will be there in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl tomorrow, as an honorary captain of the ASU team. He'll be out on the field for the coin toss, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a new generation of Sun Devils, and on the sidelines during the game itself. It all feels like a powerful echo from the past.
This year’s Sun Devils know all about defying expectations, just like that 1997 team. Coming into the season overlooked by pundits and overshadowed by powerhouses like Texas, who have been ranked higher than ASU throughout the regular season. But ASU clawed their way to a conference championship, a coveted playoff spot, and a bye to tomorrow's quarterfinals. Now, they face a Longhorns team that’s been a force all season long.
On paper, according to the know-nothing pundits, at least, Texas may have the upper hand. On the field, though? It’s anybody’s game.
ASU players to watch
Jake has been paying close attention to this year's squad and is hugely impressed with what they've been able to build. He was there at the Big 12 championship game earlier this season and remembers seeing running back Cam Skattebo sitting on the field in meditation after the game. Afterwards, Jake asked him what he was doing, and Cam told him that he was just "soaking in the energy." Love it.
And quarterback Sam Leavitt reminds all of us here at Umbo of a young Jake Plummer in his prime — passionate, able to rally the whole team, a big arm, and the ability to scramble like nobody's business. Check out these highlights from the Big 12 championship game and tell us we're wrong:
Show your support and win!
ASU's appearance in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day tomorrow isn’t just a game—it’s a story of resilience, of rising to the occasion.
Whether you’re an ASU diehard, a fan of Jake Plummer, or just someone who loves the drama and magic of college football, this is a game to watch. The Peach Bowl will showcase a team and a university fighting to reclaim moment in the spotlight. We are so here for it.
Show us your Sun Devil pride! If you post your support for ASU on Instagram and tag @getumbo, you may be selected to win ASU swag from the Peach Bowl — and Umbo products to fuel your game-day vibes.
Let’s go Devils! #ForksUp
