5 Keys To A Washington Victory Over Texas

With a trip to the national championship on the line, the Huskies need to be at their best.

NEW ORLEANS — The Washington Huskies certainly didn't take the easy route to get to their 13-0 record, but coach Kalen DeBoer's team has the opportunity to earn a spot in the national championship game with a victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl to ring in the new year. 

Here's how they can do it.

Establish the Run

Led by defensive tackles T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, the Longhorns have an elite run defense that allows just under 81 yards per game on the ground, the third-best mark in the nation. 

However, in five games against rushing defenses ranked inside the top 20 nationally, Huskies running back Dillon Johnson has averaged 107 rushing yards. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has emphasized a balanced attack all season and should try to find ways to utilize the Mississippi State transfer on off-tackle runs to avoid Texas' strong interior.

Play with Tempo

Washington can negate Texas' pass rush by getting to the line of scrimmage quickly and then calling the play, not allowing the Longhorns to substitute and rotate their big defensive tackles. 

If the Huskies can play fast and find a way to tire out defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski's front seven, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the offense should find a way to create some big plays.

Attack the Secondary

Grubb has dialed up a lot of deep shots so far this season and, now with wide receiver Jalen McMillan healthy, the Huskies should find a way to push down the field against Texas' subpar secondary.

The Longhorns allow an average of 240.8 passing yards per game and behind Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and McMillan, Washington's passing attack leads the country with 340.8 yards per contest. Odunze also could find himself matched up with freshman cornerback Malik Muhammad, which would be a big advantage to the first-team All-America receiver.

Washington EDGE Bralen Trice over the past two seasons:

2023: 70 QB Pressures (1st)
2022: 70 QB Pressures (1st) pic.twitter.com/qihovLUYKm

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 31, 2023

Put Pressure on Quinn Ewers

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been somewhat susceptible to pressure this season. The Longhorns' offensive line has given up 26 sacks this year and when Ewers is forced off his rhythm, he's much more prone to making mistakes.

Led by junior Bralen Trice, Washington's pass rush has done a good job of getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks even though it has accumulated only 19 sacks this season. If the Huskies can get Ewers off his spot, he could make a few errant throws.

Tackle

Washington's defense has been plagued by missed tackles all season but found a way to contain Oregon's high-powered offense and get the Ducks on the ground without allowing yards after contact. Behind linebackers Edefuan Ulofoshio and Carson Bruener, the Huskies need to find a way to replicate that success.

DeBoer will want to make sure his offense has the ball as much as possible and, if the defense can force a few stops like it did in the Pac-12 championship, Washington should find itself in the driver's seat in the Sugar Bowl.

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