The Big 12 meets the Pac-12 in the 2022 Valero Alamo Bowl, as the Texas Longhorns (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) will square off against the Washington Huskies (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12). Washington comes in ranked #12 in the College Football Playoff Top 25, while Texas is ranked #21. Both teams won their regular season finales, as Texas beat Baylor, 38-27, and Washington won the Apple Cup over Washington State, 51-33. The programs have not met on the football field since 2001, when the Longhorns hung on in a barnburner, 47-43. The Big 12 team has won seven of the last 10 Alamo Bowls, including the last three in a row. Don’t miss our NCAA Football betting prediction as you consider your choices on this year’s bowl games.
NCAA Preview: Valero Alamo Bowl (Thursday, December 29)
Texas Longhorns vs Washington Huskies
When: Thursday, December 29, 2022, 9:00 pm ET
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN Radio
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Texas -6 / O/U 68.5
→ Why should you bet on the Longhorns?
Tailback Bijan Robinson would be the focus here, but Robinson has opted out of the Alamo Bowl to prepare for the 2023 NFL draft, which means that the passing game will have to pick up the slack. Quinn Ewers has thrown for 1,808 yards with a 14:6 TD:INT ratio, with a 56.6% pass completion rate. Those numbers are doubtless below what he had in mind for himself, but it is important to remember that he is a freshman. He could use this game as a starting point for a big 2023.
On the other side of the ball, the Longhorns have linebacker Jaylan Ford, selected first-team All-Big 12. He was in the running for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, leading the team in tackles (109), interceptions (4) and forced fumbles (2). He was sixth in sacks (2) and fourth in tackles for loss (10). He will need to finish his senior season with another dominant season against a Washington offense led by a dangerously mobile Michael Penix.
→ Why should you put your money on the Huskies?
If you’re wondering where you’ve heard the name Michael Penix before, he’s the one who almost led Indiana to a massive upset of Ohio State. In that game, he threw for 491 yards and five touchdowns, but the Hoosier defense simply could not contain the Buckeyes. The transfer portal has sent Penix to Washington, and he leads the nation with 4,354 passing yards and has a 29:7 TD:INT ratio as well as four rushing touchdowns. Washington has one of the best offenses in the nation and should test the Longhorns.
On the D-line, the Huskies have both Bralen Trice and Jeremiah Martin, who have combined for 16 ½ sacks this season. The Texas offensive line has talent but is young. Despite the fact that they played well down the stretch, Trice and Martin should be able to take advantage of some of that inexperience and put a lot of pressure on Ewers.
→ Final Score and Prediction
If we look at the Longhorns’ four losses this season, they were all one-score affairs, and they came against Alabama, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and TCU. In the losses to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, the Longhorns scored 68 points – but gave up 78. The loss to TCU was surprising because of the underperformance of the Texas offense, which only managed 10 points. Most of the Longhorns’ games were high scoring on both sides of the ball. Washington’s losses came against UCLA and Arizona State and saw the Huskies put up 70 combined points – while giving up 85. I expect a track meet in this game, so I’m going to take the over, but I see Washington getting the win on the road. I predict a final score of Washington 44, Texas 41.
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