Play vs Us On Underdog! Use Promo-Code: YARDSPER for a 100% deposit match up to $100
An annual tradition at the Alamo since 1993, this year’s game features two returning teams. Texas makes their 6th appearance in San Antonio, looking for their 5th win in the bowl’s history. Washington looks for their first win in San Antonio as they make their second appearance.
When: Thursday, December 29th @ 9:00 PM ET
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Who: Texas vs Washington
Spread & Total: Texas -3; O/U 67
HEAD ON OVER TO BETUS AND USE PROMO CODE YARDSPER FOR A 125% DEPOSIT BONUS. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.
Tale of the Tape: Texas Longhorns
A perennial first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft led the charge offensively for the Longhorns. Bijan Robinson, who has opted out of this game, finished top-5 nationally with just under 1,600 rushing yards and nearly 1,900 all-purpose yards. Robinson accounted for 20 of the team’s 49 offensive scores. Quinn Ewers had a strong redshirt freshman season. In his eight games he finished, Ewers accounted for 14 touchdowns to six interceptions. Ewers did struggle with accuracy, completing just 56.6% of his attempts. When Ewers attempted over 30 passes, the Longhorns were 2-2; Texas was a perfect 4-0 when Ewers attempted under 30 attempts.
Defensively, Texas had the second best run defense to Iowa State. They allow just 3.3 YPC, tied for the 14th best mark nationally. Texas is more susceptible to the pass, but tend to keep teams out of the end zone. They rank 88th in passing yards allowed, but the 16 passing touchdowns allowed is tied for top-40.
Opt Outs
RB Bijan Robinson
(First Team All-Big 12. 1,580 rushing yards (6.1 YPC) is 5th nationally; 18 rushing touchdowns. Added 19 receptions for 314 yards (16.4 YPC) and 2 touchdowns)
RB Roschon Johnson
(Backup to Bijan Robinson; 93 carries for 554 yards (6.0 YPC) and 5 touchdowns; 14 receptions for 128 receiving yards)
TE Jahleel Billingsley
LB DeMarvion Overshown
(First Team All-Big 12; 95 tackles (18 for loss) was 2nd most on team. 4 sacks was 2nd on team and added 5 pass deflections)
Transfer Portal Departures:
QB Hudson Card (Backup)
WR Troy Omeire
G Logan Parr
T Andrej Karic
DE DJ Harris
DE Prince Dorbah
EDGE Devin Richardson
CB Jamier Johnson
S JD Coffey III
Players to Know:
RB Jonathan Brooks
3rd string back who should get work with Robinson and Johnson out. 24 carries for 179 rushing yards (7.5 YPC) and 4 touchdowns.
LB Jaylan Ford
First Team All-Big 12 Selection. 109 tackles (10 for loss) led the team. Added 2 sacks. 4 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, 2 forced and recovered fumbles
Tale of the Tape: Washington Huskies
Washington had one of the more surprising season’s. The Huskies finished 10-2 in a tough Pac 12 Conference, thanks in large part to the nation’s best passing attack. Michael Penix Jr. had a career resurgence under his former OC at Indiana and now Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. Penix doubled his career passing touchdowns with 29, while throwing an interception on just 1.4% of his pass attempts. And when he’s not passing for six, the ground game makes up for it. An average offense for yards per game, the 32 rushing touchdowns were the 13th most nationally.
Defensively, the Huskies allow 7.8 YPA. They have allowed 25 passing touchdowns and only recorded seven interceptions. They have recorded 35 sacks, ranking in the top-20 nationally and only trails Utah and USC in the Pac 12. Their rush defense ranks better, where they allow 3.5 YPC and have forced 11 fumbles.
Opt Outs: N/A
Transfer Portal Departures:
WR Junior Alexander
DT Kuao Peihopa
S Cameron Williams
Player to Know:
WR Rome Odunze & Jalen McMillan
Top two receivers for Penix Jr. Both hit 70 receptions and topped 1,000 receiving yards. Odunze scored 7 touchdowns; McMillan caught 8
DL Jeremiah Martin
All-Pac 12 First Team. 38 tackles (11 for loss). Led team with 8.5 sacks. Forced two fumbles
Bowl Game Trends:
- Texas: 4-1 all time in Alamo Bowl
- Big 12: 15-11; Pac 12: 5-9
- Washington: only an underdog (+12) once this season; won outright at Oregon 37-34
- Texas: Favored in 11 games this season; 7-4 ATS & 8-3 SU
Game Synopsis:
The loss of both Robinson and Johnson is huge for Texas. That’s the staple of their offense. Ewers struggled at points in the season, failing to top 200 passing yards in any game the last month of the season. Now, given the absence in the running back room and Washington struggles more with the pass, you would think Ewers will be relied on more. I’m not sold that’s a good thing for Texas. For Washington, their offense fits perfectly to what Texas doesn’t want: a fast paced offense (27th in plays per game) that loves to air it out. Texas is 1-2 against top-20 passing offenses with the lone win coming against UTSA. Penix is in for this game – and another year for Washington. I think this caps off a strong 2022 season for Washington as they pull the upset at the Alamo.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Washington
Bowl Mania Confidence: 16/43
Follow @DrewRoberts_ for more football content!
