No. 20 Texas (8-4) at No. 12 Washington (10-2)
6 p.m. Thursday, San Antonio
TV: ESPN Radio: SportsRadio 93.3-FM KJR
Last line: Longhorns by 3
UW Key Players
QB Michael Penix Jr.: 4,354 passing yards, 66% passing, 29 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs, 7 INTs
WR Rome Odunze: 70 catches, 1,088 receiving yards, 15.5 receiving yards, 8 TDs
Edge Bralen Trice: 33 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 8 sacks
S Alex Cook: 77 tackles, 3.5 TFL
UT Key Players
QB Quinn Ewers: 1,808 passing yards, 56.7% passing, 14 TD passes, 6 INTs, 1 TD rush
WR Xavier Worthy: 53 catches, 676 receiving yards, 12.75 receiving yards, 9 TDs
LB Jaylan Ford: 109 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 pass breakups
DB Jahdae Barron: 71 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 2 INT, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovered
Protect Penix
UW has almost perfectly protected redshirt junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr., ranking second in the nation with just seven sacks returned in 12 games this fall. This allowed the Indiana transfer to become a deadly distributor – expanding its targets to Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, Giles Jackson, Taj Davis, Devin Culp, Jack Westover and more. It’s also a reason why Washington leads the nation in third down conversions (57.06%) and has by far the most 10-plus-yard completions (182) of any team. Texas, on the other hand, ranks second in the Big 12 in sacks (2.25) and tackles for loss per game (7.25). Can the Longhorns make Penix uncomfortable, which UW’s Pac-12 opponents have repeatedly failed to do? If they don’t, they’ll have a long night at the Alamo Dome.
Stuff the race
That’s right: Texas is without its two best running backs, draft-bound bruisers Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. But don’t assume the Longhorns running attack will fade without its star attractions. Redshirt rookie Jonathon Brooks and Alabama transfer Keilan Robinson are quite capable, and it’s still a Texas offense that’s averaging 317.5 yards rushing with six yards per carry and 11 rushing scores during of his last two games. On the other hand, the UW defense struggled against the Pac-12’s main rushing attacks – giving up 313 yards rushing and 6.1 yards per carry against Oregon, 175 yards and 4.4 yards per carry against Oregon State and 184 yards and 4.7 yards per carry against UCLA. “You get to a point where you’re in game 10, 11, 12, 13 of the season, and I don’t think you’re going to magically change who you are,” the UW defensive co-coordinator said. , Chuck Morell. of the Texas racing game. “I think our plan is quite simple. We have to be able to do a great job in the penalty area and stop the run and force them back.
Motivation matters
Here’s one thing some people don’t like to acknowledge about bowling games outside of the New Year’s Six: The team that really wants to win…usually wins. And not all teams are equally invested. Besides the aforementioned Robinson and Johnson, Texas standout linebacker DeMarvion Overshown also opted out of the Alamo Bowl. So… do the Longhorns want to be there? We will find out on Thursday evening. It helps, of course, that Texas is essentially hosting a home game 80 miles southwest of Austin. But the Huskies — many of whom you think should have played in the Pac-12 Championship Game — aren’t lacking in motivation. Kalen DeBoer’s team hasn’t had a single standout player retire, and standout quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Jalen McMillan, edges Bralen Trice and defensive tackle Zion Tupuola-Fetui Tuli Letuligasenoa and left tackle Troy Fautanu have all announced they’ll be back in 2023. Washington thinks they can do something special in 2023…but why wait?
Vorel’s prediction
Now you know the formula. Washington will score a lot of points. He will give up a lot of points. The Alamo Bowl will come down to a few plays on both sides of the ball. And, as has been so often the case this fall, Michael Penix Jr. will excel in the moments that matter most. The UW redshirt junior quarterback said Tuesday, “I had no doubt in my mind (when I got to Seattle) that we were going to have the season we had, especially with these guys in the game. forward that block for me and the playmakers we have out. They give me plenty of time to get the ball out, and with these guys on the outside making plays, special things are always going to happen. More special things will happen for the Huskies in San Antonio. And while the Texas run game will begin, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers will fail to connect on the long ball … and Penix and Co. will make those mistakes count. Washington will cap off a magical season (and maintain momentum) with an 11e to earn.
Final scoreHuskies 37, Longhorns 34
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