College football fans will be treated to their first traditional New Year's Eve bowl game series since 2021 on Monday, including both College Football Playoff semifinals. After No. 4 Alabama meets No. 1 Michigan in the first Rose Bowl semifinal, the second semifinal will take place at the Sugar Bowl between No. 3 Texas and No. 2 Washington in a game that has the potential to be an absolute barn burner. The Huskies are returning to the College Football Playoff for the second time after making a previous appearance in 2016, while the Longhorns are set to make their CFP debut in pursuit of their first national title since 2005.
THE College football The playoff semifinals return on New Year's Day for the first time since January 2021, with the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl serving as this season's hosts. The latter has the makings of an absolute barn burner. The Huskies are returning to the College Football Playoff for the second time after making a previous appearance in 2016, while the Longhorns are set to make their CFP debut in pursuit of their first national title since 2005.
From high-powered offenses to upcoming conference moves in 2024, many similarities can be found between Texas and Washington as they head to New Orleans. Anchored by the nation's best passing attack, the Huskies remain intact after winning a Pac-12 title run that seemed like anyone's crown to claim before 10 of the league's 12 members left for more. other conferences; Washington is one of four headed to the Big Ten. The Huskies beat three ranked opponents along the way, including No. 8 Oregon twice. That leaves coach Kalen DeBoer, now 24-2 overall in just his second season as Washington's coach, looking much more like a home run hire.
For Texas, one of the most iconic brands in college football finally appears to be returning to winning ways, and just in time for a big move into the SEC ahead of the 2024 season. The Longhorns have already broken through for their first championship Big 12 and their 12-win season since 2009 in Steve Sarkisian's third year on the Forty Acres, signaling what will be an improvement of at least four wins from last year's 8-5. But like Washington, Texas' eyes are on an even more important goal: one that will first require running business within the Big Easy.
Follow with LIVE UPDATES as Texas faces Washington in the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semifinals.
How to watch Sugar Bowl live
Date: Monday January 1st | Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
Location: Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: ESPN | Direct: fuboTV (Try for free)
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Three players to watch at the Sugar Bowl
Texas QB Quinn Ewers: The Longhorns offense is loaded with skilled pass catchers, but that only matters if Ewers brings his A-game to New Orleans. So far this season, the second-year Texas signal-caller has delivered on his promise. Ewers' final outing in the Big 12 Championship Game saw him pass for a career-high 452 yards with four touchdowns en route to earning game MVP honors. Add in five rushing touchdowns this season, and Ewers has made leaps and bounds since his debut with the Longhorns in 2022 was full of growing pains. Facing a shorthanded rush attack after leading a rusher Jonathan Brooks down with an ACL injury, Ewers needs to be on point and capitalize against a Washington defense that ranks outside the top 100 nationally against the pass.
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.: Much like Texas, Washington prides itself on its offense. And while it is Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line and plethora of talented players – wide receivers Rome Odunze And Jalen McMillan among them – deserve praise, Penix is ultimately the guiding force of the unit. He finished the regular season leading the nation with 4,218 passing yards, finishing second to Hesiman behind LSU strategist Jayden Daniels. Penix is not a marvel either, because the Indiana the transfer had already passed 4,641 yards in his 2022 debut with the Huskies. If the offensive line does its job, watch for Penix to post big numbers against a Texas team whose biggest vulnerability by far this season has been defend the pass.
Texas DL T’Vondre sweatshirt: When it comes to monster athletes, there is no other player in this game that comes close to Sweat. The 6-foot-4, 362-pound senior was an imposing force along the Texas defensive line all season en route to earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and being named a unanimous All-American. As for this matchup, Sweat's size might just be a golden ticket to cracking a Washington offensive line that no one has been able to solve in 2023. If that dam breaks and Texas is able to make regularly pressure Penix, watch the defensive lineman. Byron Murphy here as well – the Longhorns will be in great shape to punch their ticket to the CFP National Championship in Houston.
Sugar Bowl prediction, picks
Odds via Sportsline Consensus
With the offensive firepower both teams bring, the potential is there for an instant classic to unfold in New Orleans. But ultimately, this game could very well be won or lost in the trenches. If the Texas pass rush wins and puts Washington in an awkward position, the only thing stopping the Longhorns from advancing toward Houston is themselves. If both offensive lines win their respective battles, we could expect a shootout that is truly a toss-up between two teams that have overcome a lot of adversity thus far. Ultimately, Texas has the best athletes, and that might just be enough for the Longhorns to come away victorious. Pick: Texas -4
What college football picks can you make with confidence during bowl season? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that has returned over $2,000 in profits over the past seven seasons — and find out.