Texas vs. Washington score: Live updates, College Football Playoff scores, Sugar Bowl 2024 coverage

Live updates, highlights and analysis as the Longhorns and Huskies meet in the second CFP semifinal

No. 2 Washington meets No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl on Monday with a trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line. The Huskies are owners of the longest winning streak in the FBS -- a 20-game mark which dates back to the 2022 season -- behind Heisman finalist quarterback Michael Penix Jr. On the other sideline, Texas claimed the Big 12 for the first time since 2009 to book its first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff. Neither of these two programs has ever won a CFP game or played for a national title in the last 14 years. That changes after Monday night. CBS Sports will be with you from the opening kickoff to the victory celebration after the game.

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Penix continues to deal

Texas got a significant stop on fourth down against Washington deep in its own territory, but Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. continues to have his way with the Texas secondary. This time it was connecting with Rome Odunze on the edge of the red zone for 52 yards. In the key spots, however, Washington decided to test the interior of the Texas defensive line. It did not go well. Texas has an opportunity to take advantage. 

Longhorns call on the big man

2Q: Texas 14, Washington 14

Texas took full advantage of the first major swing of the ball game as a muffed punt set up a rushing score from defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. The play was much-needed for Texas, which was quickly starting to lose control of the game after a handful of electric plays from Washington's offense. Now, the game is tied and the defense got a critical opportunity to regroup. 

Texas with a huge break

Washington went nearly 20 minutes without making a single mistake, but special teams came to bite at the worst time. Germie Bernard mishandled a punt at the 22-yard line and Texas recovered to give itself a much-needed shot at the red zone. Texas has struggled to create any consistent offense, and needed a big break to get the game under control. 

Ryan Grubb having his way

2Q: Washington 14, Texas 7

Washington put together a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to once again take control of the game. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was in his bag, mixing in passing concepts with misdirection runs to keep a high-powered Texas defense on its heels. Running back Dillon Johnson has just 10 yards on seven carries, but his hard running has swung multiple plays over the game, including his two scores. Texas has not found any answers. 

End 1Q: No. 2 Washington 7, No. 3 Texas 7

Texas and Washington have both come out hot offensively in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl as they battle for the right to meet No. 1 Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been masterful, throwing for 138 yards in the first period alone and connecting on a trio of unbelievably pretty passes. The Huskies are driving down the field as the second quarter begins. 

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been much slower, hitting just 2 of 6 passes, but Texas' running game is starting to find its rhythm. CJ Baxter is averaging 9.5 yards per carry but got just four touches in the opening period. A holding call killed another chance at putting together a lengthy drive. The only completions for Ewers were within 5 yards of the line. 

Both playcallers have started hot

Both Steve Sarkisian and Kalen DeBoer are regarded as some of the top offensive minds in the game, and so far we've seen some tempo and creativity from these teams in a fast start to the first quarter. Now the cat-and-mouse game is on as both teams start to make adjustments, which will be followed by the counter to those adjustments. Texas was out of sorts on its first drive, but that seven-play, 75-yard drive was almost all successful plays for the Longhorns. Admittedly, some of that credit also goes to Quinn Ewers for his escapability on a couple of plays where no one was open, but you can tell the expectations for a fun and high-flying game are probably going to be met tonight. 

Texas RBs finding success

1Q: Texas 7, Washington 7

Quinn Ewers missed on his first four passes, but Texas finally leaned on its running backs and found success. Ewers connected with CJ Baxter on a screen pass that went for 31 yards to flip the field. After that, Texas simply leaned on its running game down the field for a touchdown. Ewers, Baxter and Jaydon Blue have keyed a Texas running game that has 60 yards in the early going. Blue punched a ball into the end zone to tie the game. 

Penix magic leads to Washington score

Washington came out completely unfazed by the moment in its first drive. Quarterback Michael Penix threw an absolute bomb to Ja'Lynn Polk, who ran it all the way to the goal line. This is what makes Washington so unbelievably difficult: the Huskies' passing offense is one of the greatest mismatches in all of college football. The Longhorns are without starting safety Derek Williams for the first half, and the safeties getting turned around cost them there. 

One play later, running back Dillon Johnson punched it in for the score. 

Texas getting too cute

The Longhorns benefitted from positive field position, but Texas tried to get quarterback Quinn Ewers going at the expense of the offense. Texas only rushed once for 16 yards but let Ewers drop back four times and missed on all four attempts. One of the throws appeared to be a run-pass option that Ewers read poorly. Washington's front seven jumped in early and batted multiple passes. The Huskies defense came ready to play. 

Blue to receive

With Keilan Robinson sidelined as a kickoff returner, running back Jaydon Blue took over kickoff responsibilities for the first time this season. He had a strong return, bringing it out 31 yards to the Texas 34-yard line. The Longhorns get good position to start their first Sugar Bowl since 2018. 

Robinson wrapped up

Texas running back Keilan Robinson came out for warmups in the Sugar Bowl with a heavy cast on his left hand. Robinson is a utility player at running back, but serves as a primary kickoff returner for the Longhorns. Over the past two seasons, Robinson has returned 35 kickoffs for a 24.5 yards per return average. 

If Robinson does not participate in kickoff return, receiver Jordan Whittington is next on the depth chart. However, Whittington only has three kickoff returns in his career. Savion Red is the only other returner with multiple kick returns on the team. 

Game Prediction

Texas has been the better team on paper this season. The Longhorns boast more NFL talent and have perhaps the best overall win in college football on the road against No. 4 Alabama. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is fresh off of one of his best career games, throwing for 452 yards and four touchdowns in a Big 12 title game win against Oklahoma State. 

But for all the advantages, there's just something about Washington. The Huskies play with a situational confidence that has keyed the impressive 20-game winning streak. Washington has clamped down in fourth quarters and consistently put away games offensively. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. deserves much more acclaim for his excellence in clutch moments. 

Texas played four games against teams ranked in the final CFP Top 25. Wins against Oklahoma State and Alabama were decided by double-figures. The Longhorns gave up major collapses against Oklahoma and Kansas State, needing a stop on the last play to survive. Washington thrives jumping on mistakes. 

Prediction: Washington 38, Texas 34

Texas fans painting the Superdome burnt orange

Hello from the Superdome. Kickoff is an hour away, both teams have finally taken the field in pads for warm-ups and there is a noticeable crowd advantage for Texas. That's not to say Washington didn't bring a respectable contingent of students and fans, but burnt orange is the dominant color in the stands and the cheers for the Longhorns when they took the field seemed to come from all corners of this cavernous dome. 

Now that could be a major edge if things are going well and Texas' defense has Washington's offense going in the wrong direction, but I'm also curious about how this Texas-heavy crowd might react if the Huskies jump out to an early and sizable lead. Would Texas start to press or get tight? Would an overwhelming sense of dread become the dominant vibe? Washington has won in plenty of tough road environments during hits active 20-game winning streak, so adding another victory in enemy territory is not a big ask for Kalen DeBoer's group. 

What to know about Texas vs. Washington

The 2024 Sugar Bowl plays host to the final College Football Playoff semifinal of the four-team era on Monday as No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas clash in New Orleans. As we kick off a year that will bring major changes to the sport, both the Longhorns and Huskies have a chance to etch their legacy on a fading college football era. 

Texas vs. Washington game: Prediction, pick, Sugar Bowl odds, spread, live stream, TV channel, watch online

Strength on weakness

Texas and Washington have both been situationally excellent on defense, but both have an Achilles heel -- defending the pass. Texas ranks bottom 30 nationally, giving up 240.8 passing yards per game. Washington is even worse, giving up 263.2 yards per game through the air. 

Granted, there's plenty of context. Texas ranks among the best running defenses in college football, leaving many teams leaning on the pass to try and find any offense. Washington rates surprisingly well in per-play metrics, and are tied with Penn State for No. 22 at 6.6 yards per attempt allowed. 

Still, Washington and Texas both possess two of the most dynamic passing games in college football. Seeing the matchup of Rome Odunze against Malik Muhammad and Adonai Mitchell against Jabbar Muhammad could decide the games. 

Five keys to picking the Sugar Bowl

The second College Football Playoff semifinal game on New Year's Day features a couple of top 10 offenses in the country going toe-to-toe as two coaches on the rise look to punch their first-ever ticket to the CFP National Championship. 

Texas vs. Washington, Sugar Bowl 2024: Five keys to help pick College Football Playoff semifinal matchup

Matchup of offensive juggernauts

Washington and Texas brings together a battle of two of the great playcallers in college football. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has experience on multiple national title teams, including as offensive coordinator of the 2020 Alabama title squad. Washington's Ryan Grubb followed Kalen DeBoer from Sioux Falls to Washington and helped coordinator a top 10 offense with the Huskies. Giving these two star playcallers a full month to game plan could lead to serious fireworks, especially with second-year starting quarterbacks and a plethora of options in the skill positions. 

Rematch from 2022

Texas and Washington have some familiarity with each other after facing off in the 2022 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. While the rosters weren't identical, the centerpieces of the teams remain the same. UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns in the win, but Quinn Ewers had one of his best performances with 369 yards and a score for Texas. Ultimately, Penix's two touchdowns were the difference as Texas fell short, 27-20. 

However, the disparity in the running game is where Texas hopes to make up advantages. The Longhorns mustered just 51 yards against the Huskies last year and gave up 158. That margin could flip with the growth in the run offense and defense from Texas. Will it be enough? 

Hoping for firsts

Texas and Washington don't have much in common. The Longhorns are one of the elite blue blood programs. Washington sits outside the top 15 in total wins. Texas played for a national title in 2009. Washington hasn't in the BCS/NY6 era. However, these two programs are now intertwined in the College Football Playoff era. 

The Huskies earned a trip to the big dance in 2016, but failed to win a game. Texas has never made the field until winning the Big 12 for the first time since 2009. Perhaps just as significantly, a win would be only the second ever for these teams' respective conferences in the CFP. Of course, Washington and Texas are also both heading to new homes in 2024. 

Either way, everything is on the line for both programs and highly-touted coaches Kalen DeBoer and Steve Sarkisian heading into a career-making opportunity.