They’re not quite there yet, but #20 Texas looks like they are on the way back to elite program status after missing out on the postseason in 2021 following a 5-7 record. The Longhorns will try to defend the Alamo Dome in their home-state but it’s not going to be easy with #12 Washington (10-2) and the nation’s top passing attack trying to invade on Thursday night.
Before Betting on the Alamo Bowl
One of the problems with a successful season is that the players that made it possible often have to think about their futures instead of playing in a bowl. That’s the case in this game – for Texas at least – as the nation’s all-purpose yardage leader Bijan Robinson is wisely opting out to prepare for the NFL but so is his backup Roschon Johnson and star LB DeMarvion Overshown.
Washington on the other hand has no opt-outs and only three minimal snap players headed to the transfer portal. That means a team that won six straight down the stretch – and scored 105 total points their last two games of the regular season – is going to be at full strength. The Huskies are not just playing on Thursday, they’re excited to be here especially QB Michael Penix, Jr. (4,354 yards, 29 TDS, 7 INTs) who has announced he’s returning next season and never played in a bowl in his previous four years at Indiana.
Texas’ former 5-star recruit QB Quinn Ewers is going to be a Heisman contender coming into next season, and we may get a preview of the Longhorns being more of a passing team next year with the opt-outs of RBs Robinson and Johnson. Ewers had some growing pains in his first year as a starter, particularly completing just 56.6% of his passes.
Washington vs Texas NCAAF Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Washington (2.35) | Texas (1.64) | 67.5 | Washington +3 (1.92) | Texas -3 (1.89) |
| Bovada | Washington (2.35) | Texas (1.63) | 67.5 | Washington +3 (1.91) | Texas -3 (1.91) |
| BetUS | Washington (2.30) | Texas (1.67) | 67.5 | Washington +3 (1.91) | Texas -3 (1.91) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Washington (2.35) | Texas (1.64) | 67.5 | Washington +3 (1.92) | Texas -3 (1.89) |
| Pinnacle | Washington (2.27) | Texas (1.68) | 67 | Washington +3 (1.93) | Texas -3 (1.93) |
| MyBookie | Washington (2.30) | Texas (1.63) | 67.5 | Washington +3 (1.91) | Texas -3 (1.91) |
Alamo Bowl Prediction & Pick
Robinson was a 1,580 yard rusher this year with 18TDs on the ground and Johnson had 554 yards in a backup role. The way Texas was going to game plan the Alamo Bowl was to run the football and keep Washington’s explosive offense on the sidelines – you can’t do that without your top two RBs.
Pick: Washington +3
