Quinn Ewers showed off his diplomatic skills on Monday when the Texas quarterback was asked about a verbal challenge from Arizona State counterpart Sam Leavitt leading up to their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup.

Ewers, after all, has good experience in letting his play on the field settle quarterback debates. He led Texas (12-2) to the best record in the SEC, an impressive first-round playoff win over Clemson and Wednesday’s Peach Bowl quarterfinal against Arizona State (11-2) when some believed he would lose the starting job to backup Arch Manning.

Ewers passed for 2,867 yards and 26 TDs. Leavitt said he’ll try to show the Sun Devils have the better quarterback.

“I’ve watched him for a fair amount of time now,” Leavitt said Saturday when asked about Ewers. “I’m just excited for the opportunity. People keep counting me out since day one, and I’m going to go prove why I’m the better quarterback.”

Leavitt’s response reflected the Arizona State players’ willingness to use their status as a two-touchdown underdog as motivation in their surprise playoff appearance.

Ewers was prepared for a question about Leavitt’s boast at Monday’s Peach Bowl media day.

“I saw it and you know just congrats to them on a great year and a great season,” Ewers said. “I’ve got to watch some of their games. And, you know, he’s a talented player and they’re a fun offense to watch. And again, just excited to be up against them.”

Mizzou rallies in Music City Bowl: Blake Craig kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter, his second a 56-yarder with 4:36 left as No. 19 (CFP) Missouri rallied to beat Iowa 27-24 in the Music City Bowl on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Tigers trailed 24-14 when they started the comeback, scoring the final 13 points for the win.

Brady Cook threw for 287 yards and two TDs. Joshua Manning also ran for a score to key the comeback. Marquis Johnson added 122 yards receiving and a TD catch.

Missouri (10-3) posted its eighth 10-win season.

Iowa (8-5) lost its second straight bowl, denying coach Kirk Ferentz a chance to move up the Big Ten ranks. He remains one behind Woody Hayes’ 205 wins at Ohio State for the most overall wins in league history and his 10 bowl wins keeps him tied with Joe Paterno for the most.

TODAY’S bowl GAMEs

reliaquest bowl

Alabama (9-3 SEC) vs. Michigan (7-5 BIG Ten) Noon EST (ESPN) LOCATION: Tampa, Florida NOTABLE: Both teams will be without key players — Michigan RB Donovan Edwards opted out of the game and Alabama All-America safety Malachi Moore has an injury. The 11th-ranked Tide is led by QB Jalen Milroe, who has 2,652 passing yards, 719 rushing yards and 35 total TDs (15 pass, 20 rush).

sun bowl

Louisville (8-4 ACC) vs. Washington (6-6 Big Ten) 2 p.m. EST (CBS) LOCATION: El Paso, Texas NOTABLE: Louisville QB Tyler Shough was one of three winners of college football’s Comeback Player of the Year award after rebounding from three straight injury-shortened seasons at Texas Tech to throw for more than 3,000 yards and 23 TDs this eason. A year after finishing runner-up to national champ Michigan, Washington beat the Wolverines in early October but went on to lose three games to eventual playoff teams in Indiana, Penn State and Oregon.

citrus bowl

South Carolina (9-3 SEC) vs. Illinois (9-3 Big Ten) 3 p.m. EST (ABC) LOCATION: Orlando, Florida NOTABLE: Raheim Sanders was a Comeback Player of the Year award winner after returning from devastating knee and shoulder injuries to rank among the SEC’s top RBs for No. 15 South Carolina. No. 20 Illinois is led by QB Luke Altmyer, who has 2,543 passing yards with 17 TDs and seven INTs. He also has 655 rushing yards and seven scores.

Texas bowl

Baylor (8-4 Big 12) vs. LSU (8-4 SEC) 3:30 p.m. EST (ESPN) LOCATION: Houston NOTABLE: QB Garrett Nussmeier ranks seventh in FBS with 3,735 passing yards. He threw for 26 TDs and 11 INTs. Baylor will have its hand full as its pass defense ranks 84th.