This year’s CFP looks as wide open as ever, so why can’t Texas win it all?

NEW ORLEANS — Texas finds itself in a situation it hasn’t been in since January 2010: chasing a national championship. Washington is undefeated, as is Michigan, while Alabama looks like it’s got all the momentum it needs to win it all again, too. This year’s College Football Playoff looks like anybody’s, so why not the Longhorns?

This Sugar Bowl matchup looks sweet for Texas

1. Why will Texas beat Washington on Monday night?

Bohls: The Longhorns will outscore the Huskies 38-35 in an offensive shootout, but Texas’ superior special teams will make the difference. Steve Sarkisian has the best kicker in Bert Auburn, who has made 28 of 32 tries and had a string of 19 consecutive field goals, plus a terrific punter in Ryan Sanborn, who would rank 14th nationally if he had enough attempts to qualify, and Xavier Worthy and Keilan Robinson both returned a kick for a touchdown this season and the cover units are top notch.

Bohls: New Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning knows his time is coming

Golden: This Sugar Bowl will come down to the final three minutes, but Texas will figure out a way to win because the Horns are slightly better overall. I’m not a fan of indoor fireworks, but quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Michael Penix Jr. will provide plenty at the Superdome. Texas has the better defense and someone on that side of the ball — be it T’Vondre Sweat, Jahdae Barron or young pass rusher Ethan Burke — will make the play that puts Texas in position to win 42-38.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and players celebrate their win over Iowa State on Nov. 18. The Longhorns face Washington in Monday night’s Sugar Bowl for a berth in next week’s national championship game, and they’re favored by 4 points.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/years-cfp-looks-wide-open-180028005.html

Author : Austin American-Statesman

Publish date : 2023-12-31 18:00:28

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