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.”

That was far more than Ewers had to say than when asked if Manning’s strong play as the fill-in starter this season when Ewers missed two games with strained abdominal muscles, leading some to wonder if Manning would keep the starting job, strained the relationship between the quarterbacks.

“No,” Ewers said.

Bolstered by the strong support of coach Steve Sarkisian and his winning performances on the field, Ewers shut down all speculation about which quarterback would lead the Longhorns.

Even so, Manning could be an important weapon in the Longhorns’ national championship hopes. He has been effective when playing behind Ewers, especially as a runner.

“If we have that dynamic, why wouldn’t we utilize it?” Texas quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee said Monday.

TODAY’S bowl GAMEs

reliaquest bowl

Alabama (9-3 SEC) vs. Michigan (7-5 BIG Ten) 11 a.m. CST (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) 1 p.m. CST (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) 2 p.m. CST (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) 2:30 p.m. CST (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.