While the current SEC and Big Ten champions do battle in the Rose Bowl, future SEC and Big Ten teams Texas and Washington will be battling it out in the Sugar Bowl.
Washington won the Pac-12 title over Oregon while Texas won the Big 12 over Oklahoma State. That secured both of their spots in the College Football Playoff.
As far as who the analysts think will win the games though, 247Sports analysts Chris Hummer and Brad Crawford are in agreement that the Longhorns will be the winners.
For Hummer, who is predicted a 35-34 Texas win, it comes down to Texas being a more balanced team.
“We saw this game a season ago in the Alamo Bowl. Washington won that day because the Huskies’ O-line dominated the game and Michael Penix Jr. made more plays than Quinn Ewers. But I think the circumstances are a bit different this time around. Both teams are certainly better, but Texas is by far the more balanced team with a top-26 offense and defense. Texas’ defensive front is particularly imposing, making teams one-dimensional all year. If there’s a worry for the Longhorns, it’s that Washington can expose their real weakness: A so-so secondary that’s susceptible to talented passing attacks. In a matchup that’s as close as this one, I’m going to lean toward the more talented, balanced team. That’s Texas. As long as Ewers can play clean, the Longhorns head to the national title game,” Hummer wrote.
Here’s a look at @BCrawford247’s & @chris_hummer’s New Year’s Six predictions. 🏈
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— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 27, 2023
Crawford is picking Texas to win with a more convincing 34-24 performance thanks to Texas’ superior size on the offensive and defensive line.
“There’s been mention of this game’s decisive moments coming down to Washington at the line of scrimmage and whether the Huskies have the girth up front to block Texas. Didn’t Kaleb DeBoer’s show that twice already this fall during wins over Oregon? In what could very well be a shootout in New Orleans, this one could produce this season’s national champion. At some point, Washington’s string of narrow victories over quality competition has to run out, though. I’m picking Texas to cover and reach the national championship game…” Crawford wrote.
Who do you think will win the game and advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game?