ASU won the Big 12 conference, secured a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, and is headed to Atlanta to compete in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day. Why it matters: The Sun Devils were predicted to finish in last place in the preseason conference poll — but head coach Kenny Dillingham's squad has defied every expectation since then.

The Arizona State football team has been rewarded for its Big 12 championship with a trip to the Peach Bowl slated for Jan. 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Sun Devils (11-2) earned a No. 4 seed and a first-round bye after its impressive 45-19 victory over Iowa State.

No. 4 Texas will be competing for a return trip to Atlanta when it plays at home against No. 13 Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The winner of the Clemson-Texas first-round game on Dec.