Tag: Texas vs Washington preview

How Texas’ Steve Sarkisian built playoff contender in three years

“Before building a playoff contender, Sarkisian had to tear down what was in place and start from scratch.”

Steve Sarkisian has built a team that can win a national championship. The Texas head coach built that team in just three seasons. Albeit, his squad had to be willing to go backward before embracing his all gas, no breaks mentality.

Before building a playoff contender, Sarkisian had to tear down what was in place and start from scratch. He had to dispose of the past coaching staff’s routines, culture, scheme and technical coaching to replace all of it.

Prior to Sarkisian’s time in Austin, three things stood out about the Texas football program: bad coaching, bad development and bad culture. Those facets of what Texas was before the current staff are long gone. Nevertheless, the team had to be patient enough to endure a 5-7 season to drill home the fundamentals of what it would take to make Texas a contender.

Sarkisian’s rebuild was made easier by building an elite staff. The headliners were former Alabama assistants: elite offensive line coach Kyle Flood, ace recruiter Jeff Banks and top defensive line coach Bo Davis. Texas added veteran defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski to shut down high scoring attacks, and he’s done just that in his third season in Austin.

Here we are two seasons after a five-win campaign. The culture is established. The team is set to send several players to the NFL draft after sending running back Bijan Robinson to the league as the No. 8 pick last year.

The Longhorns used to lose games by running vanilla offense, not developing a smart defense and relying on talent to overpower teams. Now they win games by schematic advantage. No longer do coaches tell players to simply execute while assuming no responsibility for losses. They equip their players to win.

Texas is a favorite to win the national championship. More than that, the team has staying power.

We have long been of the belief that Sarkisian was not an elite game manager. I tend to believe he will never be that, though he has improved dramatically in that regard. He’s an offensive guru that gives you several plays through which you can score.

I did, however, believe that when Sarkisian found the players who could make plays that he doesn’t scheme up, the team would overpower opponents. We have reached that point. Texas is converting on the plays he schemes up and making plays when the odds are stacked against them.

Texas has built a team that can take home a title. It will next push for its high goals on the field in the Sugar Bowl against Washington.

Previewing the Alamo Bowl between Texas and Washington

Steve Sarkisian seeks his first bowl win at Texas.

The Texas Longhorns (8-4) and Washington Huskies (10-2) are on a collision course to meet in San Antonio. For many involved, the game is deeply personal.

Washington fans don’t particularly like that Steve Sarkisian left the program, despite bringing the program from 0-12 before he started to consistent bowl participant. Sarkisian isn’t the only Texas coach with Washington ties.

Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski grew to fame as a play caller for the Washington defense. For its physicality, his unit would earn the nickname “Death Row.”

Undoubtedly Washington fans will have strong emotions as they go against the architect of their once dominant defense.

The Huskies pose a different threat to the Longhorns this week. Texas will have to contend with perhaps the most dangerous passing attack in college football.

Let’s look at what will determine the game.

Texas vs Washington Valero Alamo Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Texas vs Washington game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Valero Alamo Bowl on Thursday, December 29

Texas vs Washington prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Valero Alamo Bowl, Thursday, December 29

Texas vs Washington Valero Alamo Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Texas vs Washington How To Watch

Date: Thursday, December 29
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET
Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Texas (8-4), Washington (10-2)
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Texas vs Washington Valero Alamo Bowl 5 Things To Know

Valero Alamo Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– You never know when it comes to these bowl games what kind of mayhem you’re going to get, but for all intents and purposes, Texas has to use this to set the tone for a potentially monstrous 2023. There are still plenty of great players in place, but it’s missing superstar RB Bijan Robinson and, potentially, a slew of important players on the defensive front.

The team was good late winning three of its last four, but the O stalled against TCU and couldn’t get by Oklahoma State before the finishing kick. It was able to crank up the ground game in the win over eventual Big 12 Champion Kansas State, but Mr. Robinson had something to do with that.

– Texas lost its main guy in Robinson, but QB Quinn Ewers is rolling. So is Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., who announced he’s coming back next year – this is when the 2023 Heisman campaign starts.

The Huskies closed out with six straight wins after losing back-to-back road games against UCLA and Arizona State. The offense caught fire, the defense held up just enough to to get by, and overall it was a fantastic first season under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

– This is Washington’s first bowl appearance in a few years, beating Boise State in a blowout to close out the Chris Petersen era in the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl. Before that it lost three straight bowls and was an ugly 5-13 since getting past Michigan in the 1992 Rose. On the other side …

– Texas has been a bowl game monster. It’s the first appearance since the Tom Herman era – his teams went 4-0 in bowls highlighted by a Sugar Bowl stunner over Georgia. Helped by the great run under Mack Brown, Texas has won 13 of its last 17 bowls since pulling off the 2001 Holiday over … Washington.

– This makes it three appearances in four years in the Alamo for Texas – it beat a strong Utah team in 2019 and whacked Colorado in 2020. Now it’s up to Washington and the Pac-12 to finally stand up to the Big 12. Overall the Alamo has been a dud over the last three seasons, but it was strong before that with four games decided by five points or fewer.

Washington State beat Iowa State 28-26 in the 2018 version. Other than that, the Big 12 is 6-1 in the last seven vs the Big 12, and 9-3 since the two conferences took over the bowl tie-ins in the 2009 season.

CFN Experts Picks CFP, NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why Texas Will Win The Valero Alamo Bowl

The passing game will still work.

It’s Texas, so there are still running backs to rotate into the rushing mix behind a decent offensive line, but it’s not going to get nearly the same production without Bijan Robinson carrying the mail.

However, QB Quinn Ewers is still special, and so is future NFL starting WR Xavier Worthy – he’s still a year away from being eligible – going against a pass defense that was the least efficient in the Pac-12 and allowed 242 yards per game.

Washington brings the pass rush, but as long as Ewers can get into a groove, the offense can move just fine.

The Husky defense doesn’t take the ball away and doesn’t generate enough big plays, but it can get pounded on, too. The Texas passing attack takes center stage, and Robinson might not be there, but the ground game has to try. UW is 2-2 when allowing 150 rushing yards or more.

The Longhorns have to control the tempo, but …

Top 100 Bowl Players | Ranking Bowl Games So Far

Why Washington Will Win The Valero Alamo Bowl

Here comes the high-flying Washington offense that leads the nation in passing and third down conversions.

Texas lost both times it allowed 330 passing yards or more, and that’s par for the course for Penix Jr. and the Husky attack. It only failed to get to 330 passing yards four times, and it made up for it in three of them by running well.

Texas can be run on – it’s 1-4 when allowing 140 yards or more, and Washington is 4-0 when it gets to that mark – it’s going to get physical when it can.

The offense turned it over multiple times just twice – in the loss to UCLA and the win over Washington State. Washington isn’t going to beat itself, and Texas doesn’t force takeaways. To pull this off, Ewers and the Longhorns will have to keep pressing.

Again, Washington has a pass rush to at least be disruptive, but …

Valero Alamo Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

NEXT: What’s Going To Happen, Texas vs Washington Prediction, Valero Alamo Bowl History

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Hot button questions we’re asking about Texas football

Answering the questions we’re all asking.

We’re nearing the end of another Texas football season. Despite many answered questions there is still suspense surrounding the future.

Texas has compiled arguably its best recruiting class since 2010. Certainly, the class is one of the most well rounded groups we have ever seen.

As the current roster goes, Texas is set to return plenty of talent. On the heels of a three-win improvement, the Longhorns figure to build off the 2022 season’s successes. Many are concerned about players who might depart.

We’ve addressed the non-story that was made a story about the status of Xavier Worthy’s return. If you were apprised of all Worthy’s statements from the day, what he said should alleviate your concerns.

Let’s look at how to feel about the biggest questions facing the program.

Texas remains favored over Washington entering Alamo Bowl week

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Texas a 75% chance to take down the Huskies. 

It feels like forever since Texas ended its regular season with a 38-27 victory over Baylor. The Longhorns are finally set to see the field again in the 2022 Alamo Bowl vs. No. 12 Washington on Thursday.

Texas enters the week as a three-point favorite over Washington. News of Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson and DeMarvion Overshown opting out of the game dropped the line from its original 4.5 points.

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Texas a 75% chance to take down the Huskies.

The Longhorns face a challenging task in Washington’s dynamic offense. Quarterback Micheal Penix Jr. leads the nation in passing, serving as the catalyst to a unit scoring 40 points per game.

Losing three key starters to the NFL creates an opportunity for a few young guys to step up in this matchup. Quarterback Quinn Ewers and running back Jonathan Brooks will have more weight on their shoulders. A good performance can springboard the Longhorns into 2023 with some momentum.

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Alamo Bowl: Texas players with most to gain from a strong performance

Texas players can make a statement in the Alamo Bowl.

The Alamo Bowl hasn’t meant much to Texas fans in past years. That could all change this year. After no bowl appearance last season, Thursday’s game against Washington should carry more significance.

The Texas Bowl in 2017 had a similar feel to this year’s Alamo Bowl. The Longhorns have a handful of players departing, but return the bulk of the roster.

The 2017 game against Missouri was a momentum builder for the 2018 season. The Longhorns used the game as a springboard into a nine-win season and conference title appearance. Steve Sarkisian and company can capture similar momentum with a strong performance against the Huskies.

A handful of players shined in Tom Herman’s first bowl win to cap the 2017 season. Most notably, Sam Ehlinger made an early case to win the starting job in 2018.

Let’s look at a few players with the most to gain from a strong Alamo Bowl.