Kalen DeBoer reveals why Washington didn't hold a watch party for CFP reveal

When the College Football Playoff teams were announced on Selection Sunday, the majority of the teams who were in contention for playoff spot had a team watch party for the reveal. Not Washington.

The Huskies, who were already very well assured they were in after going 13-0 against a Pac-12 schedule, opted to take a different tack. It was much more low key.

“I can’t say that I really went into thinking about it too much, other than that we had this celebration this afternoon,” coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Kind of set in stone months and months ago. This weekend, with our banquet that we have, this is a chance for many families to come in.”

Instead of doing a fancy team gathering, DeBoer allowed his players the chance to reconnect with their families following a long and grueling season. He felt the team would be best served that way.

After all, Washington will be preparing for a playoff appareance soon, so DeBoer will need his guys focused and ready.

“I just felt like the limited time our guys have with their families, morning today and early afternoon, it’s just a chance for them to be with them because you get into this time of year playing on Jan. 1, the guys more than likely aren’t going to be home for Christmas,” DeBoer said. “So a chance just to savor every day. Yesterday, today, and I know a lot of the families flying up even from Vegas to be here.”

So as the team learned its playoff fate and its opponent, the afternoon quickly turned to family once again.

“We get a chance to celebrate this afternoon all together and we’re going to have a great time doing that then,” DeBoer said.

Washington will play Texas in the Sugar Bowl in the second of two College Football Playoff games. The game will be played at 8:45 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, with a broadcast on ESPN.