AUSTIN, Texas — Already without leading receiver Jordyn Tyson (collarbone), fourth-seeded Arizona State will also be without starting nickel cornerback Shamari Simmons (targeting suspension) for the first half against fifth-seeded Texas in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Peach Bowl at 12 pm CT on Jan. 1.
Texas (12-2) is a 13.5-point favorite against the Big 12 champion Sun Devils (11-2).
Tyson, ASU’s leading receiver with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns who suffered an injured collarbone in the third quarter of a 49-7 victory at Arizona on Nov. 30, is not expected to play against Texas after having surgery to repair the injury on Dec. 3. Tyson’s absence could create playing time opportunity for Arizona State receivers Jake Smith and Troy Omeire, who are two of six former Longhorn players now with the Sun Devils along with former Texas recruiting director Bryan Carrington, who is ASU’s cornerbacks coach…