Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl will feature the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (12-1) squaring off against the No. 2 Washington Huskies (13-0) on Monday, January 1, 2024 for a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Longhorns are the favorites (-4) in their matchup versus the Huskies, with the over/under at 63.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Longhorns are -178 and the Huskies are +148.)

Create your Pick’em Pool with the Internet’s #1 pool creation and hosting platform. Get 15 friends together and play for free!
Start here >

Game Info for Texas vs. Washington

• Game Day: Monday, January 1, 2024
• Game Time: 8:45 PM ET
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Stadium: Caesars Superdome

Texas Pick Insights

• Texas has a 7-6-0 record against the spread this season.
• Texas has a 6-5 record against the spread in games it was favored by 4 points or more this season.
• Five of Texas’ 13 games with a set total have hit the over (38.5%).

Texas Stats & Insights

• Texas has been shining on both sides of the ball, ranking ninth-best in total offense (475.9 yards per game) and 25th-best in total defense (321.9 yards allowed per game).
• Texas has been making things happen on both sides of the ball this season, as they rank 14th-best in scoring offense (36.2 points per game) and 11th-best in scoring defense (17.5 points allowed per game).
• Texas owns the 96th-ranked defense this season in terms of passing yards (240.8 allowed per game), and has been more effective on offense, ranking 18th-best with 286.8 passing yards per game.
• Texas has been a tough opponent for opposing teams in the running game, ranking top-25 in both rushing offense (24th-best with 189.1 rushing yards per game) and rushing defense (third-best with 81.1 rushing yards allowed per game) this season.
• Texas ranks 67th in third-down percentage this year (38.5%), but has been playing really well on defense, ranking second-best in the FBS with a 25.9% third-down percentage allowed.
• Texas has forced 23 total turnovers (20th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 16 times (47th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +7, the 20th-best in college football.

Texas’ Best Players

• Quinn Ewers has 3,161 yards passing for Texas, completing 70.7% of his passes and collecting 21 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
• Jonathon Brooks has carried the ball 186 times for a team-high 1,138 yards on the ground and has found the end zone 10 times as a runner. He’s also tacked on 25 catches for 286 yards (22 per game) and one touchdown in the pass game.
• CJ Baxter has been handed the ball 130 times this year and racked up 596 yards (45.8 per game) with four touchdowns.
• Xavier Worthy’s 969 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 115 times and has collected 73 catches and five touchdowns.
• Adonai Mitchell has caught 51 passes for 813 yards (62.5 yards per game) and 10 touchdowns this year.
• Ja’Tavion Sanders has racked up 39 catches for 607 yards, an average of 46.7 yards per game. He’s scored two times as a receiver this season.
• Ethan Burke leads the team with six sacks, and also has eight TFL and 38 tackles.
• Jaylan Ford, Texas’ tackle leader, has 82 tackles, seven TFL, one sack, and two interceptions this year.
• Terrance Brooks leads the team with three interceptions, while also putting up 18 tackles and three passes defended.

Washington Betting Insights

• So far this year, Washington has put together a 6-6-1 record against the spread.
• Washington is a perfect 1-0 against the spread when an underdog by 4 points or more this season.
• Washington games have gone over the point total in six out of 13 opportunities (46.2%).

Washington Pick Insights

• Washington’s offense has been leading the charge for the team, as it ranks 10th-best in the FBS with 469.1 total yards per game. In terms of defense, it is giving up 397.2 total yards per game, which ranks 93rd.
• Washington’s offense has been leading the charge for the team, as it ranks 10th-best in the FBS with 37.7 points per game. In terms of defense, it is surrendering 23.6 points per game, which ranks 51st.
• On the defensive side of the ball, Washington is a bottom-25 pass unit, ceding 263.2 passing yards per game (12th-worst). Fortunately, it is excelling on offense, posting 343.8 passing yards per contest (second-best).
• Washington is accumulating 125.2 rushing yards per game on offense this season (99th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 134.1 rushing yards per game (39th-ranked) on defense.
• Washington’s third-down offense has been leading the charge for the team, as it ranks 11th-best in the FBS with a 48% third-down conversion rate. In terms of defense, it is ceding a 40.6% third-down rate, which ranks 89th.
• After forcing 18 turnovers (55th in the FBS) and turning the ball over 16 times (47th in the FBS) this season, Washington sports the 49th-ranked turnover margin of +2.

Washington’s Best Players

• Michael Penix Jr. has racked up 4,218 yards on 65.7% passing while tossing 33 touchdown passes with nine interceptions this season.
• Dillon Johnson is his team’s leading rusher with 201 carries for 1,113 yards, or 85.6 per game. He’s found the end zone 14 times on the ground, as well.
• Will Nixon has run for 194 yards across 31 carries, scoring one touchdown.
• Rome Odunze’s 1,428 receiving yards (109.8 yards per game) are a team high. He has 81 catches on 121 targets with 13 touchdowns.
• Ja’Lynn Polk has caught 60 passes and compiled 1,000 receiving yards (76.9 per game) with eight touchdowns.
• Jalen McMillan’s 48 targets have resulted in 34 receptions for 468 yards and three touchdowns.
• Bralen Trice has 4.5 sacks to pace the team, and also has six TFL and 37 tackles.
• Dominique Hampton is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s collected 82 tackles and two interceptions.
• Jabbar Muhammad leads the team with three interceptions, while also putting up 29 tackles, three TFL, two sacks, and three passes defended.