The Texas Longhorns are coming off winning the Big 12 with a win over Oklahoma State, a game which was never really close, with the Longhorns prevailing 49-21. The Washington Huskies continued their undefeated season with a 34-31 win over the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship game.
Texas Longhorns 12-1 vs. Washington Huskies 13-0
Date: Monday, January 1
Time: 8:45 p.m. EST
TV Channel: ESPN
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Line: Longhorns -4.0 / O/U: 64.5
2023 Season Stats
Texas:
2023 Record — 12-1 (9-1 in Big 12)
2023 Offense P/G (Big 12 Rank) —
Total Yards: 475.9 (3)
Passing Yards: 286.8 (3)
Rushing Yards: 189.1 (6)
2023 Defense P/G (Big 12 Rank) —
Total Yards Allowed: 321.7 (1)
Passing Yards Allowed: 240.8 (10)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 80.8 (1)
2023 Point Per Game: 36.2 (3)
2023 Points Allowed Per Game: 17.5 (1)
2023 CFP Ranking: 3
Washington:
2023 Record — 13-0 (10-0 in Pac 12)
2023 Offense P/G (Pac 12 Rank) —
Total Yards: 469.1 (2)
Passing Yards: 343.8 (1)
Rushing Yards: 125.2 (8)
2023 Defense P/G (Pac 12 Rank) —
Total Yards Allowed: 396.9 (8)
Passing Yards Allowed: 263.2 (8)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 133.8 (8)
2023 Cumulative Points Scored: 37.7 (3)
2023 Cumulative Points Allowed: 23.6 (6)
2023 CFP Ranking: 2
Series History/All-Time Records
All-time head-to-head record: Texas Leads 3-2-0
Current streak: Washington has won one straight
Last Texas win: 2001 (47-43)
Last Washington win: 2022 (27-20)
2023 Top Players
Texas Longhorns
Passing: Quinn Ewers – 248-351, 3161 yards, 21-6 (TD-INT)
Rushing: CJ Baxter – 129 ATT, 595 YDS, 4 TD
Receiving: Xavier Worthy – 73 REC, 969 YDS, 5 TD
Tackles: Jaylan Ford – 91 (41-50)
Sacks: Ethan Burke – 5.5
Interceptions: Michael Taaffe & Jerrin Thompson & Terrance Brooks – 3
Washington
Passing: Michael Penix Jr. – 307-466, 4218 YDS, 33-9 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Dillon Johnson – 201 ATT, 1113 YDS, 14 TD
Receiving: Rome Odunze – 81 REC, 1428 YDS, 13 TD
Tackles: Dominique Hampton – 92 (54-38)
Sacks: Bralen Trice – 5
Interceptions: Michael Powell – 3
Texas Players To Watch:
Offense: Quarterback – Quinn Ewers – Sophomore
Ewers will look to feat on a defense in Washington that ranked eighth in the Pac-12 in passing while the Longhorns have the third-best passing attack in the Big 12. Look for Ewers to use his weapons and attack the Huskies defense, as this game will be a shootout.
Defense: Linebacker – Jaylan Ford – Senior
Ford will have his hands full trying to defend the run game of the Huskies with Dillon Johnson, who averaged 5.5 yards a carry this season; the Huskies are loaded on offense with Johnson and Rome Odunze; it won’t be easy for the Texas defense, but they need to focus on containing the run like they have all season as they ranked first in the Big 12 in rush defense.
Bottom Line: Texas Looks to advance to National Title for the first time since 2009
The second College Football playoff game will be a battle of offenses, with Texas averaging 475.9 yards a game this year while Washington averaged 469.1 yards a game. The winner of this game will be whichever defense can come up and make the big stand when it matters; that team will advance to the National Championship. For Texas, they are looking to play in the title game for the first time since 2009 and win it for the first time since 2005.
