Two of Seven picking the Horns
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The Sugar Bowl Trophy is on display at Media Day Saturday. The Huskies joined in Media Day for the Sugar Bowl before holding a practice inside the Superdome Saturday, Dec. 30.
Mike Vorel, UW football beat reporter
Washington 34, Texas 31
A year ago, UW controlled both lines of scrimmage in an Alamo Bowl lashing of the Texas Longhorns. The Huskies did the same to Oregon in Dec. 1’s Pac-12 championship game. While Texas has certainly improved up front, Michael Penix Jr. will make his plays, Dillon Johnson will pick his moments and the Husky defense will deliver a timely takeaway. UW’s undefeated season isn’t over just yet.
Matt Calkins, columnist
Texas 28, Washington 27
The Huskies certainly can win this game and will play the Longhorns tight. But its defensive inconsistencies throughout the season make me wonder if they’ll top a proven Texas team that will have most of the crowd behind it.
Percy Allen, staff reporter
Washington 41, Texas 40
Whether they’re on the road or in the biggest games, the Huskies haven’t flinched in pressure-packed moments. During their 20-game winning streak, which includes a 27-20 victory over Texas in last year’s Alamo Bowl, Kalen DeBoer and Michael Penix Jr. have found ways to come out on top while winning 10 games decided by a touchdown or less. Got a feeling UW falls behind early, recovers late and holds on at the end while making just enough plays to preserve its magical season and advance to its first national championship game.
Shane Lantz, staff reporter
Washington 42, Texas 33
With a pair of high-powered offenses going at it, this game is going to be a shootout. The Huskies have a lot of big wins already behind them and, with so much on the line, Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze will lead the Huskies to a national championship appearance.
Paul Barrett, sports editor
Texas 45, Washington 35
The Huskies are the first team during the Division I era of college football (since 1973) to win nine consecutive games decided by 10 points or fewer, according to Fox Sports. But the magical run will end against the more-balanced Longhorns.
Sean Quinton, assistant sports editor
Washington 38, Texas 35
This Husky football season has been sprinkled in pixie dust from the start. With a full month of rest under their belts, the Huskies will be as healthy as they’ve been in months. Michael Penix Jr. will again meet the moment, and the Washington defense will grab a key turnover to turn the game late. This one likely comes down to the final possession, and I think it’s won on the right leg of kicker Grady Gross.
Jon Wilner, Bay Area News Group Pac-12 reporter
Washington 27, Texas 20
The Longhorns pose matchup problems for UW along the lines of scrimmage — problems the Huskies have faced only twice this season: in the duels with Oregon. Both of those games were decided on the knife’s edge, and we expect another riveting finish. Texas will have massive crowd support, but UW is well equipped to navigate raucous environments. How will UT sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers respond to the pressure? Can UW’s Michael Penix Jr. make all the big plays yet again? We like the Huskies to win but love the Huskies to cover
Seattle Times staff picks for UW’s CFP semifinal vs. Texas in Sugar Bowl
The Huskies face Texas in the Sugar Bowl with a spot in the national title game on the line. Here are score predictions from Seattle Times staffers.
www.seattletimes.com
The Sugar Bowl Trophy is on display at Media Day Saturday. The Huskies joined in Media Day for the Sugar Bowl before holding a practice inside the Superdome Saturday, Dec. 30.
Mike Vorel, UW football beat reporter
Washington 34, Texas 31
A year ago, UW controlled both lines of scrimmage in an Alamo Bowl lashing of the Texas Longhorns. The Huskies did the same to Oregon in Dec. 1’s Pac-12 championship game. While Texas has certainly improved up front, Michael Penix Jr. will make his plays, Dillon Johnson will pick his moments and the Husky defense will deliver a timely takeaway. UW’s undefeated season isn’t over just yet.
Matt Calkins, columnist
Texas 28, Washington 27
The Huskies certainly can win this game and will play the Longhorns tight. But its defensive inconsistencies throughout the season make me wonder if they’ll top a proven Texas team that will have most of the crowd behind it.
Percy Allen, staff reporter
Washington 41, Texas 40
Whether they’re on the road or in the biggest games, the Huskies haven’t flinched in pressure-packed moments. During their 20-game winning streak, which includes a 27-20 victory over Texas in last year’s Alamo Bowl, Kalen DeBoer and Michael Penix Jr. have found ways to come out on top while winning 10 games decided by a touchdown or less. Got a feeling UW falls behind early, recovers late and holds on at the end while making just enough plays to preserve its magical season and advance to its first national championship game.
Shane Lantz, staff reporter
Washington 42, Texas 33
With a pair of high-powered offenses going at it, this game is going to be a shootout. The Huskies have a lot of big wins already behind them and, with so much on the line, Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze will lead the Huskies to a national championship appearance.
Paul Barrett, sports editor
Texas 45, Washington 35
The Huskies are the first team during the Division I era of college football (since 1973) to win nine consecutive games decided by 10 points or fewer, according to Fox Sports. But the magical run will end against the more-balanced Longhorns.
Sean Quinton, assistant sports editor
Washington 38, Texas 35
This Husky football season has been sprinkled in pixie dust from the start. With a full month of rest under their belts, the Huskies will be as healthy as they’ve been in months. Michael Penix Jr. will again meet the moment, and the Washington defense will grab a key turnover to turn the game late. This one likely comes down to the final possession, and I think it’s won on the right leg of kicker Grady Gross.
Jon Wilner, Bay Area News Group Pac-12 reporter
Washington 27, Texas 20
The Longhorns pose matchup problems for UW along the lines of scrimmage — problems the Huskies have faced only twice this season: in the duels with Oregon. Both of those games were decided on the knife’s edge, and we expect another riveting finish. Texas will have massive crowd support, but UW is well equipped to navigate raucous environments. How will UT sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers respond to the pressure? Can UW’s Michael Penix Jr. make all the big plays yet again? We like the Huskies to win but love the Huskies to cover
