The 12-1 Texas Longhorns are #3 in the nation are missing more key elements than the 13-0 Washington Huskies as they ready to play in the Sugar Bowl, but it’s the #2 Huskies who oddsmakers are seeing as the underdogs in this CFP semifinal matchup.
Texas is set as the 4-point favorite. But going into the game, while neither team is showing much in the way of concern when it comes to injuries and opt outs, it’s the Longhorns who certainly have it the worst in this department.
Texas RB Jonathan Brooks is out with a torn ACL. As well, Longhorns backup QB Maalik Murphy won’t be playing after entering the transfer portal and moving on to the Duke Blue Devils.
So far in the college football public betting splits, Washington is getting 66% of ATS handle and Texas is drawing 95% of moneyline handle.
Several other Texas players who were hurting have taken advantage of the month off between this game and the Big-12 Championship to heal their wounds. Among this group are WR Xavier Worthy, RB CJ Baxter, right tackle Christian Jones, tight end JT Sanders, and cornerback Ryan Watts . Worthy leads Texas in receptions (73) and receiving yards (969).
Texas will also be getting back DB Derek Williams for the second half of the game. He’ll sit out the first half due to a targeting suspension.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian indicated to his players opting to enter the transfer portal that they were welcome to play in the Sugar Bowl as long as they continued to embrace the team culture.
Certainly the most significant absence is that of QB2 Maalik Murphy. He departed after utilizing the transfer portal to move to the Duke Blue Devils. Murphy left because he wants to be at Duke for spring football, improving his chances of earning the starting berth with the Blue Devils.
Murphy started two games this season in place of injured QB1 Quinn Ewers. Murphy beat BYU 35-6 and led Texas to a 33-30 OT victory over #23 Kansas State. This season, he threw for 477 yards with three TDs and three interceptions
Safeties Jalen Catalon and Larry Turner-Gooden, WR Casey Cain and offensive lineman Sawyer Goram-Welch are others who decided to forego their shot at winning the national championship after entering the transfer portal. Catalon has 17 tackles and six passes defended this season.
The Huskies got some good news leading into this game regarding RB Dillon Johnson. Dealing with a foot injury, he’s indicating that the down time since the Pac-12 title game has enabled him to regain his health.
