The Washington Huskies will have a 362 pound problem on their hands on Jan. 1. The team will have to protect its backfield against new-and-improved Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
We consistently mention Sweat as a matchup the Longhorns’ next opponent will need to neutralize. He just happens to be a matchup problem more weeks than not.
What advantage does the 362-pounder have over Washington’s well under 300-pound freshman center Parker Brailsford? Aside from size and strength, Sweat has several years of experience in the college game. With that, he’s had several years to perfect technique and leverage and create problems for linemen of various size.
Sweat won’t only face Brailsford in the Sugar Bowl matchup, but his presence will be felt while he is on the field. Fellow defensive linemen Byron Murphy, Barryl Sorrell and Ethan Burke all stand to benefit from the attention he will command.
Texas will look to capitalize on Sweat’s matchup advantages in the College Football Playoff.