Washington Huskies (13-0) vs Texas Longhorns (12-1)
January 1, 2024 8:45 pm EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Washington Huskies +4 -- Over/Under: 63.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies meet in college football action from the Caesars Superdome on Monday night. It’s the second college football playoff matchup in the Sugar Bowl, who advances to the national title game? Let’s dive in and find out with our Texas vs. Washington Prediction.
Texas Team Preview
The Texas Longhorns come into the college football playoff as the Big 12 champion, sitting at 12-1 on the year. Quinn Ewers has thrown for 3,161 yards, 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 70.7% passing while Jonathon Brooks has a team-high 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns but is now out for the season. Xavier Worthy leads Texas’ receiving group with 73 receptions for 969 yards and 5 TDs but is questionable after leaving the Big 12 title game in a walking boot while Adonai Mitchell has 51 receptions for 813 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. Ja’Tavion Sanders has 607 receiving yards while Jordan Whittington also has 435 receiving yards. On defense, Jaylan Ford has a team-high 91 total tackles and a pair of interceptions while Jerrin Thompson also has a pair of INTs and Ethan Burke has a team-high 5.5 sacks while Byron Murphy II and Anthony Hill Jr. each have 5 sacks. As a unit, Texas’ defense has combined for 32 sacks and 16 interceptions this season.
Washington Team Preview
The Washington Huskies come into the playoffs as the Pac-12 champions at 13-0. Michael Penix Jr. has thrown for 4,218 yards, 33 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 65.9% passing while Dillon Johnson leads the Huskies in rushing with 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns. Rome Odunze leads the Huskies with 81 receptions for 1,428 yards and 13 touchdowns while Ja’Lynn Polk has 60 receptions for 1,000 yards and 8 TDs as well. Jalen McMillan has 468 receiving yards with 3 TDs and Germie Bernard has 371 receiving yards while Jack Westover has 332 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Four more Huskies have 100+ receiving yards on the year. On defense, Dominique Hampton has 92 total tackles to lead the Huskies while Washington’s defense as a whole has combined for 19 sacks and 16 interceptions.
Texas vs. Washington Prediction
I’m on the under in this one. I think no matter how the game script plays out, it’s going to be a low-scoring game like last year’s meeting between these two in the Alamo Bowl, a 27-20 game that finished 20 points under the total. Texas’ probably wants to avoid a track meet here and try to win with their defense, while Washington wins by taking advantage of a somewhat depleted Texas offense either way, I think this total is a touch too high. Give me the under.
