The Alamo Bowl has not only a Power Five conference clash, but it also has two top 25 teams going at it. We got the Big 12 powerhouse Texas Longhorns going up against Pac 12 studs Washington Huskies. Texas comes into the Alamo Bowl winning three out of their last four games, while Washington has won six straight games. The Longhorns are 3 point favorites with the over/under set at 67.5.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns have some serious decisions to think about for their future. Bijan Robinson is opting out and heading to the NFL Draft. Without Robinson, the Longhorns offense will rely heavily on Quinn Ewers. Ewers will be showing what he has not only to get a bowl win, but this win could help give him a head start in the quarterback competition between him and Arch Manning next year. Ewers started in nine games for the Longhorns this season and he threw for 1,808 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Texas has to fill a big void in Bijan Robinson who had 258 rushing attempts to go along with 1,580 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. With Robinson out, this offense becomes one-dimensional and it’ll be hard for them to get anything going.
Defensively, the Longhorns had a good season this year. They give up 21.5 points per game and allowed 376.4 total yards of offense per game. One thing the Longhorns will need to improve on is their pass defense. They are going up against a top five passing attack in the country. If they want to bring home the Alamo Bowl trophy, they are going to need to contain Washington’s high powered passing offense.
Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies had a complete makeover from a season ago. They went from 4-8 to 10-2, one of the better turn arounds in college football this season. This Huskies offense is t-4th in the country in points per game (40.8), 2nd in the country in passing yards per game (376.7) and 4th in total yards of offense per game (526.2). Washington is led by Michael Penix Jr. He threw for 4,354 passing yards (2nd in the nation) to go along with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The Huskies have two 1,000 yard receivers that will be huge for Penix Jr. Jalen McMillan had 71 receptions and 1,040 receiving yards to go along with 8 receiving touchdowns. Rome Odunze had 70 receptions to go along with 1,088 receiving yards to go along with 7 receiving touchdowns.
The Huskies also have two running backs that have 10+ rushing touchdowns as well. Wayne Taulapapa (10) and Cameron Davis (13) are two other vital parts of this Huskies’ offense. Washington does only average 145 rushing yards per game. However, with these two good running backs it makes it easier for Penix Jr. to create. Look for the Huskies to move the ball frequently against this Texas defense.
Defensively, the Huskies are pretty good. They give up 26.3 points per game and only allow 127.1 rushing yards per game. Washington’s secondary will have their work cut out against the Longhorns offense. With Robinson heading to the NFL, the Huskies can lock in to stop the Longhorns passing game. If Washington can do that, then they have a really good shot at bringing home the Alamo Bowl trophy.
Betting Trends
-Longhorns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl games.
-Under is 5-1 in Texas’ last 6 bowl games.
-Huskies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
-Over is 9-3-1 in Washington’s last 13 games overall.
The Don’s Alamo Bowl Best Bet
My official play in this one is Washington +3. The Huskies have the complete team and I think that they really do win this game outright. Texas is struggling with the loss of their best offensive weapon. I think that the Huskies are going to control this game and Texas won’t know what hit them. My lean is under in this one, I think the total is too high. I don’t think the Longhorns will put up enough points for the over. Too scared to take the total. Washington is the best play and the only one in this one.