Texas Longhorns Facing Elite, But Overlooked Washington Huskies RB Dillon Johnson in College Football Playoff

The Texas Longhorns defense will certainly have its hands full against a talented Washington Huskies passing attack, but the offense's ground game has proven to be a significant threat as well.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns are taking on the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day for what will be one of the biggest games in the history of both programs.

No. 3 Texas (12-1) will have its hands full against No. 2 Washington (13-0), which possess one of the country's best passing attacks led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He leads the nation in passing yards (4,218) and finished second in the Heisman voting.

Most of the talk leading up to this game has been centered around the offensive fireworks that could happen to begin the New Year due to Penix's ability and Washington's three NFL-level receivers in Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan

However, as the Oregon Ducks found out in the Pac-12 Championship Game, Washington's ground game packs a punch, led by a physical offensive line and running back Dillon Johnson.

A transfer from Mississippi State, where he spent three season's, Johnson has gotten overlooked by most casual college football fans due to the presence of Penix, Odunze and Co.

The Washington offensive line left a lasting impression in that win over Oregon, but so did Johnson. He should hardly be overlooked at this point after bullying the Ducks to the tune of 28 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns, which came after an impressive regular season.

During three years in a pass-happy offense at Mississippi State, Johnson's best season came in 2022 when he rushed for a career-best 488 yards with three touchdowns.

But with 201 carries for 1,113 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns this season, his first with the Huskies, Johnson's nearly topped the entire career rushing total he had during three years in Starksville (1,198 yards). He's done this despite missing a game and rushing for just eight yards in the 15-7 win over Arizona State on Oct. 21.

Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium / © Stephen R. Sylvanie

Being featured in an elite offense like Washington's would certainly add any running back, but Johnson has proven to be a weapon in his own right. Ask the poor USC Trojans defense, who watched Johnson rumble 26 times for 256 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-42 win on Nov. 4.

Of course, the Longhorns have every reason to feel confident that the Washington rushing attack will be rendered useless.

Led by Outland Trophy winner and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, the Longhorns have surrendered the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (80.8) in the country this season.

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In the Big 12 Championship against Oklahoma State, Texas shut down Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II, who is still the nation's leading rusher (1,614) headed into the start of bowl season. He was limited to 13 carries for 34 yards in what was a dominant 49-21 win for Texas.

It will certainly be a test for Johnson and Co. to break through the Texas front line, but the Longhorns would be foolish to overlook him and the rest of the Huskies' ground game.

We'll see what gives first when Texas and Washington kickoff on Monday, Jan. 1 at 7:45 p.m. CT.