The Texas Longhorns are heading into their College Football Playoff clash against Arizona State, but they’ll do so without a key figure on their sidelines: their live mascot, Bevo. While the decision to exclude the iconic steer was made for safety reasons, some fans are questioning whether this could spell bad luck for the team-especially with quarterbacks Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers leading the charge.
Officials from the Peach Bowl, hosted at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, announced the ban, citing the stadium’s limited space as the primary reason. “We cherish the traditions of college football, and Bevo is undeniably a cornerstone of that,” they stated. “However, given the spatial constraints of the venue and our commitment to ensuring the safety of everyone involved, Bevo will not be present at the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.”
Texas Longhorns spark outrage with Bevo mascot controversy
This marks the second time in just a few weeks that Bevo has been sidelined from the action at this stadium. He was previously banned from attending the SEC Championship game against Georgia, which Texas lost in an overtime thriller. The coincidence has left many fans nervous about the Longhorns’ playoff fortunes.
Bevo has a controversial CFP history
The concerns aren’t purely superstitious. Bevo has a history of unpredictability, most notably during the Sugar Bowl five years ago when he broke through a barricade and charged at Georgia’s live mascot, Uga, narrowly avoiding a dangerous encounter. While organizers emphasize safety, the mascot’s absence seems to have added a psychological weight for fans and players alike.
Texas enters the game against Arizona State fresh off an impressive 38-24 victory over Clemson in the first round. With quarterbacks Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers driving the offense, the team remains a heavy favorite to advance. Yet, Bevo’s absence looms large, sparking debates about the role of tradition and superstition in the high-pressure world of college football.
As Texas takes the field, the question remains: Can Manning and Ewers lead the Longhorns past the Sun Devils, or will the absence of their cherished mascot cast a shadow over their playoff ambitions?