by Rod Pearson
Sunday, Dec 31, 2023
Game Time: 8:45 pm ET, Monday, January 1, 2024
Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Texas -4, Washington +4; Over/Under: 63.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Texas -4, Washington +4; Over/Under: 63.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Texas -3.5, Washington +3.5; Over/Under: 63.5 points
Season Record
Texas Longhorns: 12-1 (9-1) (1st place, Big 12)
Washington Huskies: 13-0 (9-0) (1st place, Pac-12)
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Texas Longhorns: won their last game at a neutral site against the Oklahoma State Cowboys 49-21.
Washington Huskies: won their last game at a neutral site against the Oregon Ducks 34-31.
Texas Longhorns vs Washington Huskies Preview and Analysis
Texas is entering this game with a 12-1 record overall and they have an 8-1 record in their conference games too. They are 6-0 in their home games, 5-0 in their road games, and they are also 1-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Oklahoma State 49-21. Quinn Ewers was the starting QB and he completed 35/46 passes for 452 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Keilan Robinson led the team in rushing yards with 75 and 2 TDs. Adonai Mitchell led the receivers with 109 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD. Anthony Hill Jr. led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Anthony Hill Jr. led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Washington is entering this game with a 13-0 record overall and they have a 9-0 record in their conference games too. They are 7-0 in their home games, 5-0 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Oregon 34-31. Michael Penix Jr. was the starting QB and he completed 27/39 passes for 319 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Dillon Johnson led the team in rushing yards with 152 and 2 TDs. Jalen McMillan led the receivers with 131 receiving yards on 9 receptions. Alphonzo Tuputala led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack in that one. Mishael Powell came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Texas vs Washington Prediction
The current betting odds have Texas listed as a 4 point favorite in this Sugar Bowl game for the CFP Semifinals according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Texas has looked really good in their games this season with their 12-1 record overall as they went to the Big 12 Championship and won. Their only loss this season was at a neutral site against their rival Oklahoma, but they also have a lot of very nice wins under their belt like their win against Alabama on the road who is also a playoff team this year. Meanwhile, Washington has also looked great in their games this season with their 13-0 record overall and the Pac-12 Championship after beating Oregon a 2nd time in that game. Washington hasn't looked as good in a lot of their games down the stretch though as they have been finding ways to come away with wins but have been struggling on both sides of the ball in some of their games. Texas has been a lot more consistent with their offense in games and they also have a really good defense that will give Washington fits here. Texas has also been striving for this opportunity for years and now that they finally had a great season with a Big 12 Championship, they will be looking to cap it off with a National Championship. The best way to place a bet here is on Texas to cover the spread in this game.
Texas Washington Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Monday, January 1, 2024 (8:45 pm ET start time) is Texas 35 Washington 28.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Texas Longhorns Washington Huskies prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
Texas Longhorns: 8-3 ATS after a win by 21 or more points. 15-8 ATS after a game where they committed 1 or less turnovers. 14-3 ATS on a neutral field where the total is between 56.5 and 63. 8-4 UNDER as a favorite. 11-3 UNDER after scoring 31 points or more in 2 straight games.
Washington Huskies: 4-9 ATS off a win over a conference rival as an underdog of 6 or more points. 9-16 ATS after playing a conference game. 8-2 UNDER as an underdog. 9-2 UNDER off a close win by 7 points or less over a conference rival. 5-1 UNDER after a win by 6 or less points.
Key Injuries
Texas Longhorns: R. Watts (DB) Ques Mon - Undisclosed. A. Jordan (DB) Ques Mon - Undisclosed. X. Worthy (WR) Ques Mon - Leg. J. Brooks (RB) out for season - Knee.
Washington Huskies: T. Rogers (RB) Ques Mon - Undisclosed. G. Jackson (WR) out for season - Redshirt. G. Memmelaar (OL) out for season - Undisclosed. C. Davis (RB) out for season - Lower Body.
Notable Quotes
“I know it’s been a long time coming. Everybody’s been starving for this championship. To get it in our final game in the Big 12, I hope everybody enjoys it as much as we do.” - Steve Sarkisian after his team’s win against OK State in their last game which was the Big 12 Championship.
"We understand what's at stake here. We win, we get to move on, we get to have the next biggest game of our life. But for right now, this is that one." - Kalen DeBoer on winning this game and being in the college football playoff this season.
Starting Lineups
Texas Longhorns
WR Worthy, Xavier
WR Mitchell, Adonai
WR Whittington, Jordan
TE Sanders, Ja'Tavion
QB Ewers, Quinn
RB Baxter, CJ
Washington Huskies
WR Odunze, Rome
WR Polk, Ja'Lynn
WR McMillan, Jalen
TE Culp, Devin
QB Penix Jr., Michael
RB Johnson, Dillon
Statistical Leaders
Texas Longhorns
Passing: Q. Ewers (3161)
Rushing: J. Brooks (1139)
Receiving: X. Worthy (969)
Touchdowns: J. Brooks (11)
Washington Huskies
Passing: M. Penix Jr. (4218)
Rushing: D. Johnson (1113)
Receiving: R. Odunze (1428)
Touchdowns: R. Odunze (14)
Coaches:
Texas Longhorns: Steve Sarkisian (3rd season)
Washington Huskies: Kalen DeBoer (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
