The Washington Huskies may not get as much national notoriety as the Texas Longhorns, but they will enter the Sugar Bowl as the undefeated, though underdog, team. Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer has quickly emerged as one of the top leaders in the game. And he is building a program that will sustain their newfound success in the Big Ten Conference next year. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian brings an inspiring comeback story to the Sugar Bowl. Sark lost the HC job at USC due to substance abuse issues. Now sober, he has led Texas to national prominence.

College Football Odds – Sugar Bowl Matchup

On Monday, January 1, 2024, the Texas Longhorns will meet the Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal. Kickoff time is 8:45 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN. The winner of the game will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 8, 2024, from NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.

Every day, the Top Football odds and picks can be accessed and made at Caesars!

Texas is a 5-point favorite with a total of 64. The Longhorns are a -173-money line chalk, with Washington as a +153 underdog.

Betting on College Football – Texas Longhorns Scouting Report

Texas has a record of 12-1 straight up, 7-5-1 against the spread, and 5-8 over/under the NCAA Football Odds total. Texas ranks 9^th for total offense, 18^th for passing, 24^th for rushing, and 16^th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 23^rd overall, 96^th against the pass, 4^th against the rush, and 13^th for points allowed. Also, Texas ranks 83^rd for fewest turnovers lost and 11^th for takeaways.

For several years, Texas has had false alarms of being “back.” There was no such problem in 2023, starting with a 34-24 win at Alabama in Week 2. Sarkisian has methodically but quickly built Texas in three seasons with records of 5-7, 8-5, and 12-1 this year with the Big 12 championship.

QB Quinn Ewers got a haircut and went on a diet to set the tone for a breakout season. Ewers has a 162.8 QBR with a 21/6 TD/INT ratio.

RB Jonathon Brooks kept opposing defenses honest with 1139 yards and 6.1 yards per rush with ten TDs.

WR Xavier Worthy is the top Texas receiver with 73 catches, 969 yards, and five TDs. At the same time, Adonai Mitchell added 51 catches for 813 yards and 10 TDs.

PK Brett Auburn connected on 28 field goals in 34 attempts.

DE Ethan Burke led Texas with 5.5 sacks. LB Anthony Jill Jr and DL Byron Murphy II added five sacks each.

College Football Betting – Washington Huskies Scouting Report

Washington has a record of 13-0 straight up, 6-6-1 against the spread, and 6-7 over/under the NCAAF Betting Odds total. Washington ranks 11^th for total offense, 1^st for passing, 100^th for rushing, and 11^th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 93^rd overall, 122^nd against the pass, 41^st against the rush, and 50^th for points allowed. Also, Washington ranks 71^st for fewest turnovers lost and 8^th for takeaways.

Kalen DeBoer took over a demoralized Washington program but one with good fan support and a history of success. DeBoer rapidly fixed the Husky program with smart recruiting and discipline.

QB Michael Pennix was a Heisman Trophy finalist and finished with a 161.4 QBR with a 33/9 TD/INT ratio. Pennix was clutch in beating Oregon twice, including in the Pac-12 championship game.

Pennix has the luxury of two 1,000-yard receivers. Rome Odunze caught 81 passes for 1428 yards and 13 TDs. And then Ja’Lynn Polk added 60 catches for 1000 yards and eight TDs.

RB Dillon Johnson helped Washington keep defenses off balance with 1113 yards, 5.5 yards per rush, and 14 TDs.

CB Jabbar Muhammad defended ten passes with three interceptions. In comparison, DE Bralen Trice added five sacks.

NCAA Vegas Odds – Sugar Bowl Best Bet

The key difference in this game is defense. Washington had to outscore opponents in most games to win and has one of the worst pass defenses in college football. That is not conducive to success against Quinn Ewers and the prolific Longhorn offense.

Texas is the Sugar Bowl pick!

Every day, the Top Football odds and picks can be accessed and made at Caesars!