Washington Huskies Opponent Preview: Game 13 – Alamo Bowl vs. Texas
Thursday, the #12 Washington Huskies play 21st-ranked Texas in the Alamo Bowl.
Thursday, the #12 Washington Huskies play 21st-ranked Texas in the Alamo Bowl.
The Washington Huskies take on Texas in the Alamo Bowl, on Thursday, December 29, in San Antonio, Texas. Here we take a look at the Texas Longhorns.
Texas leads the all-time series 3-1. The last time these teams faced each other was in the 2001 Holiday Bowl. The Washington Huskies lost a 47-43 shootout when UT scored 27 points in the fourth quarter.
Texas By the Numbers
2022 Record: 8-4 (6-3 in Big 12, 3rd place).
Scoring: 35.67 points a game.
Rushing Yards: 199.6 yards per game.
Passing Yards: 230.75 yards per game.
Time of Possession: 27:34 per game.
Points Allowed: 21.2 points a game.
Rushing Defense: 122 yards per game.
Passing Defense: 239 yards per game.
Time of Possession Against: 32:15 per game.
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is in his second year at Texas and has a combined 13-11 record. Sarkisian coached the Washington Huskies from 2009-13, compiling a 34-19 record with one bowl appearance.
Texas Offense
Texas uses three wide receivers, a tight end, and a running back, like most of the teams UW faced this season.
Quarterback
Quinn Ewers is a redshirt freshman transfer from Ohio State. He completed 141 of 249 passes for 1,808 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. This could be a huge audition for Ewers as highly regarded recruitt Arch Manning is on his way to Austin in 2023.
Running back
Junior Bijan Robinson won the Doak Walker Award in 2022 as the top running back in the country. The likely 2023 first round pick rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Robinson opted out of the Alamo Bowl and declared for the NFL, as did his backfield mate Rochon Johnson. Texas will most likely go with Jonathan Brooks and Alabama transfer Kellan Robinson.
Receivers
At the “X” receiver is sophomore Xavier Worthy. He’s from Fresno, California, so the Huskies coaches would be familiar with him. This year Xavier had 53 catches for 676 yards and 9 touchdowns. It wasn’t as big of a year as he had as a freshman when Xavier was the Big 12 offensive freshman of the year.
Iowa State graduate transfer Tarique Milton starts as the “Z” receiver. It was a disappointing season, as he only caught 2 passes.
The slot or “H” receiver Jordan Willingham played in all UT games this season after playing in only 8 the year before because of injuries. In 2022, he caught 45 passes for 608 yards and one touchdown.
Tight end JaTavion Sanders is a sophomore and first year starter. Sanders was second on the Longhorns in receptions with 49 for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Defense
The Longhorns use a base 4-2-5 defense.
Defensive Line
The defensive ends are sophomore Barryn Sorrell and senior Ovie Oghoufo. The duo was very productive this year, combining for 91tackles with 8.0 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
Nose tackle Keondre Coburn was a second team all-Big 12 selection. The fifth year senior had 26 tackles with 3 for losses. His backup, Byron Murphy II, will also see plenty of action.
Texas has a good pair of defensive tackles. Even though senior Moro Ojomo made only four starts, he was named second-team Big 12 with 30 tackles, including 5.5 for loss. T’Vondre Sweat, a senior, started the rest of the games and was a Big 12 honorable mention with 29 tackles and 2.5 for loss.
Linebacker
Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, a senior transfer from James Madison, starts at weakside linebacker. He had 34 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Texas’ starting middle linebacker is junior Jaylan Ford, a first team All-Big 12 and third team All-American selection. Ford was a busy man with 109 tackles with 10 for loss. The Washington Huskies should see a lot of him.
Defensive Backs
Texas starts a pair of experienced safeties. Senior Anthony Cook had 58 tackles with 3.5 for losses at free safety. Junior Jerrin Thompson has 26 games under his belt. The Big 12 honorable mention had 75 tackles and 1 for loss.
Senior D’Shawn Jamison and junior transfer Ryan Watts (Ohio State) start at cornerback. Watts had 49 tackles with 4 for loss. Meanwhile, Jamison had 22 tackles with 2 for loss and 2 interceptions.
At the nickel or “spur” is junior Jahdae Barron. He was very active this season with 71 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and 2 interceptions. He was ab all-Big 12 honorable mention.
Final Notes
Besides the two running backs, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will not play in the Alamo Bowl and is also working out in preparation for the NFL Draft.
The Washington Huskies are favored, and for good reason. They have a high-scoring offense, and Texas is without some valuable weapons.
