Washington, Texas both trying to end long national title droughts

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Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas (CFP semifinal)

Location: New Orleans

Date: 8:45 p.m. ET, Jan. 1

TV: ESPN

Line: Texas -4

Total: 63.5

How these teams got here

Washington (13-0): The Huskies have been incredible in the two seasons of the Kalen DeBoer era. Washington hired DeBoer from Fresno State after a 4-8 season in 2021 and the addition of DeBoer and former Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. paid immediate dividends. The Huskies made the biggest leap of anyone in college football a season ago and finished 11-2 after beating Texas in the Alamo Bowl.

This year, Washington was even better. Penix became a Heisman finalist as the offense has averaged over seven yards a play. The Huskies started the season with a statement win over Mountain West champion Boise State and then easily dispatched Michigan State before conference play began.

From there, Washington established itself as the best team in a very deep Pac-12. But there were some close calls along the way. Washington needed a missed field goal to avoid overtime in a 36-33 home win over Oregon on Oct. 14 and then looked lethargic the following week in a 15-7 win over Arizona State.

The Huskies didn’t win a game by more than 10 the rest of the season as they beat Oregon State 22-20 in a downpour in Week 12 before needing a last-second field goal to beat in-state rival Washington State to end the regular season.

The Pac-12 title game brought a rematch with Oregon, and Washington jumped out to a big lead before Oregon came back in the second half to go in front. But two touchdowns in the fourth quarter preserved Washington’s undefeated season and sealed a playoff berth in a 34-31 win.

Washington has won 24 games over the last two seasons with QB Michael Penix Jr. and coach Kalen DeBoer. (Photo by Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via…

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Source link : https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/sugar-bowl-preview-washington-texas-both-trying-to-end-long-national-title-droughts-203901600.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2023-12-29 20:39:01

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