Sugar Bowl 2024: Latest Odds, Prediction for Texas vs. Washington Playoff
The Washington Huskies come into the Sugar Bowl in the same position they were in for the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Michael Penix Jr. and Co. are once the underdog despite being the higher-ranked team in their matchup.
The Texas Longhorns are favored by four points over the Pac-12 champion for the CFB Playoff national semifinal in New Orleans.
Texas plowed through its final few opponents to land the No. 3 seed in the final CFB Playoff rankings and the Big 12 championship.
The Longhorns offense, led by Quinn Ewers, is comparable at some positions to Washington's unit, which is what makes the matchup so fascinating.
Spread: Texas -4
Over/Under: 64
Money Line: Texas (-180; bet $180 to win $100); Washington (+150; bet $100 to win $150)
Washington will embrace the underdog role for the second straight game.
The Huskies closed as a 10-point underdog in the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks.
Washington controlled that contest from start to finish and looked more like the favored side in Las Vegas.
A similar approach will likely be used to prepare the Huskies for their trip to New Orleans.
The Huskies are probably the best underdog to back throughout the entire bowl schedule because they have found a way to win in close games all season.
Washington thrived in the fourth quarter against the Oregon State Beavers and Washington State Cougars. It followed those close wins up with its best showing of the season versus Oregon.
Penix, Rome Odunze and Co. are as battle-tested of an offensive unit as you will find in the FBS and that is what makes them such a dangerous side as an underdog.
Texas also authored its best performance of the season to confirm its spot in the CFB Playoff.
The Longhorns outclassed the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a 49-21 victory that was sealed by halftime.
Ewers torched the OK State defense for 452 passing yards and he had three of his teammates catch at least six passes and record over 85 receiving yards.
Texas' passing attack can be that explosive against Washington, and if it is, the Longhorns will land a spot in the National Championship Game.
Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell will test the Washington secondary and both of them have the potential to outplay Odunze, Washington's star wide out.
Texas' defense could be the star of the game. It held it last three opponents to a combined 44 points.
A potential slowing down of Penix and the Washington offense would go down as Texas' best defensive showing of the season.
The explosiveness on both sides of the ball is why the Longhorns can be justified as a four-point favorite over an undefeated power-five champion.
Washington 33, Texas 30
Washington's ability to win close games could be the X-factor if the Sugar Bowl is decided in the fourth quarter.
Penix's leadership and big-play ability in those moments got Washington to 13-0, and those qualities could show up again in New Orleans.
Both offenses possess a ton of pass-catching talent, so expect a few high totals out of Odunze, Mitchell and Worthy.
Each team is equipped to win a high-scoring game, and if Penix has the ball in his hands late in the fourth quarter, the Huskies should emerge victorious and with a spot in the CFB Playoff National Championship.
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