Texas and Washington will meet in the College Football Playoff tonight and this one looks like it will be a shootout. We have two very high powered offenses and defenses who both gave up a lot of points against good opponents this season. The last team with the ball might be the team who wins this game. Let's get into our Texas vs Washington Prediction - CFB Playoff Picks 1/1/24.
Texas Longhorns:
Texas enters the game with a strong record of 12-1. A key area of focus will be their running game, especially since Jonathan Brooks is out for the season with a knee injury. However, the Longhorns have adapted well to his absence, averaging 207.7 rushing yards in the games since his injury.
The Longhorns' defensive strength is also notable, especially with T’Vondre Sweat, who won the Outland Trophy, anchoring their defensive line. Texas' defense, particularly against the run, is one of the best in the nation.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers will be critical for Texas, especially in exploiting Washington's defense through the air. The Washington defense allowed 300+ passing yards to both Caleb Williams and Bo Nix so expect a big game from Ewers.
Washington Huskies:
Washington boasts an undefeated record of 13-0 and is known for its potent passing offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Huskies lead the nation in passing offense (343.8 yards per game), which could pose a significant challenge to the Texas defense.
The Huskies' running game, however, ranks lower, which might influence their strategy against a strong Texas run defense.
Defensively, Washington has linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio, a Butkus Award finalist, who is a key player to watch. His performance, along with the rest of the linebacker corps, could be pivotal in containing Texas' offense.
Key Matchups and Storylines:
A major storyline is whether Texas' pass defense can handle Penix's third-down conversions and whether Texas can effectively run the ball against Washington's defense.
Another aspect to watch is if Washington can apply pressure to Ewers and potentially force turnovers.
Prediction: The game is expected to be closely contested with both teams bringing strong offensive capabilities. However, Texas is slightly favored, and their balanced attack might give them an edge.
Final Score
Texas 38 Washington 34
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