Inside Texas Alamo Bowl Roundtable: No. 20 Texas vs. No. 12 Washington

No. 20 Texas heads to San Antonio for a matchup with No. 12 Washington in the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. The Inside Texas staff delivers predictions, names to know, and more for the Longhorns-Huskies Thursday night tilt.

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1. This is Texas’ sixth appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Which one of the other five appearances is your favorite and why?

Eric Nahlin – The loss to Oregon is probably the most memorable because we were waiting to see what would happen with Mack Brown. Certainly not a “favorite” moment, though. Favorite? I guess the beatdown of Utah. Texas showed some interesting offensive wrinkles in that game I discussed with Bijan Robinson the following day. Robinson was in San Antonio for the Army All-American game. In general I have very fond memories of San Antonio, most centering around the IT community or burning the candle on both ends between work and fun and fun work. 

Justin Wells – Beating Iowa, 2006. A freshman Colt McCoy probably shouldn’t have played after re-injuring his right shoulder less than a month before at home versus Texas A&M. But he made enough plays, notably an early touchdown pass to Limas Sweed and a beautiful scoring toss to Jamaal Charles on a wheel-route to send the Hawkeyes home with a bad taste of the Lone Star State.

Ian Boyd – I can’t say I’ve been particularly enthused about any of Texas’ six trips to the Alamo Bowl this century. I’ll say 2012 simply because I was present covering it. Texas had some last minute losses and distractions before the game but it proved to be one of the last promising moments of David Ash’s career before injuries and a good send out for Alex Oka-four (four sacks in the game).

Joe Cook – I’ve had the fortune to be present for all the wins. While I enjoyed the Utah smackdown, attending the 2012 game versus Oregon State was a thoroughly entertaining experience for a freshman at UT. I found friends and had a blast pregame, had young naiveté thinking Texas was about to surge back to the mountaintop during my college years, and then saw Marquise Goodwin cap his career with an electric go-ahead touchdown. Dang, that was 10 years ago.

Paul Wadlington – The Utah game was a pleasant and satisfying surprise as Texas manhandled the “more physical” Utes, but I actually loved the 2020 Alamo Bowl as the national coming out party for freshman Bijan Robinson. He had 10 carries for 183 yards behind an OL starting two freshmen on the way to an enjoyable 55-23 victory. 

Bobby Burton – The Horns absolutely drilled Utah like they didn’t even know what hit them. That was a decent Utah team, even with some players who had opted out. The David Ash come-from-behind win over Oregon State is second on my list.

Gerry Hamilton – The Utah game. Sure, the Utes had a number of guys out. But Texas hit Utah in the mouth early and often, and beat up on a physical team and program. Those games are always favorites of mine. 

2. What do you expect from the Texas rushing attack without the services of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson?

Eric Nahlin –  I’m predicting Jonathon Brooks serves notice he’s next up at Texas. That is dependent on Texas being motivated to be there. I’m not saying they won’t be, you just never know with bowls. Brooks is a nifty, nuanced runner with good acceleration. 

Justin Wells – Jonathon Brooks will be steady and smooth. Jaydon Blue will catch a pass or two. Keilan Robinson will score on a big play like a bottle rocket. Bijan and RoJo will be missed, but the Brooks, Blue, and Robinson trio will deliver in the aggregate. Moneyball style.

Ian Boyd – I think they’ll continue to be very explosive and potent. Would be more surprised if Brooks failed to rush for 100 yards than if he did. It’d help Texas to have Bijan but this is a good run game and Washington is vulnerable.

Joe Cook – On the negative front, I think Texas fans may have to get accustomed to some — some — rushes for loss. Bijan and Roschon were amazing at making sure they always got back to the line of scrimmage, each in their own unique way. Brooks is unique in that he has excellent vision but he might not exactly have the power or elusiveness of the backs that were in front of him. How he’s able to handle dirty reads will say a lot about his future. On the positive front, I think he’ll have an opportunity to really showcase that vision thanks to the work of the Texas offensive line and the clean reads they’ll provide.

Paul Wadlington – Brooks will have big shoes to fill and he’ll have to fill them not only as a run maximizer, but in terms of ball security, pass protection and as a receiver against a Washington defense that will focus heavily on Sanders and Worthy.

Bobby Burton – I feel like Jonathon Brooks is a talented runner. Really talented. But this will be the first time he has to handle the complete picture. Can he manage blitz pick up? Can he get out into routes? Can he sell the screen game? It’ll be the little things I’m looking for there. Hopefully he goes over 100 yards on the ground.

Gerry Hamilton – Johnathon Brooks will be very solid. I say he rushes for over 100 yards with 150 possible. I expect Texas to win the line of scrimmage. I’m just not a believer in the physicality of the Pac-12 as a whole. 

3. Washington’s offense under Michael Penix averages over 500 yards per game. What is the key to the Longhorns slowing the Husky attack?

Eric Nahlin – This is a classic win-it-in-the-red-zone game. Take advantage of the constricted field on defense and run it on them on offense. Texas is due for some forced interceptions after so many close opportunities.

Justin Wells – Give Michael Penix Jr. hell. Rush him, hit him, chip him, push him, and make him regret not opting-out and declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. Morice Blackwell is the perfect player to introduce himself with authority.

Ian Boyd – No coverage busts and nothing easy. Washington can score and their wideouts will bring in some catches but Texas can’t let them run free across the secondary in the Huskies’ play-action game.

Joe Cook – Communication, as always. Jaylan Ford, whoever lines up by him, Jahdae Barron, Jerrin Thompson, and Anthony Cook have to make sure they pass off receivers properly. They can’t have any Quentin Johnston situations. That, and strong games from Ryan Watts and D’Shawn Jamison against physical receivers.

Paul Wadlington –  It’s hard to sack Penix. The teams that have been successful stopped him with coverage, tackling, and figuring out Husky route combinations. There’s a good opportunity for Texas to stop the run with an honest or light box and with multiple practices to prep, Texas could roll out some diverse coverages to force Washington into some bad throws.

Bobby Burton – Two things for the defense: get some sort of pass rush and get off the field on third down. I also think there’s room for some complimentary football, so if the Texas offense can establish a run game of sorts, it will help matters.

Gerry Hamilton – Penix has been sacked five times in 500 passing attempts. That’s got to be close to a college record. This game is all about stopping the run from the jump, and the defensive backs playing with eye discipline. 

4. What do you want to see from Quinn Ewers in this game ahead of the 2023 offseason?

Eric Nahlin – Confidence. Confident decision making, confident delivery, confident command of the offense.

Justin Wells – Ewers to Worthy (or anyone) on a pair of deep posts would feel like the result of better practice and timing. Ewers going through progressions and throwing dimes with confidence would feel like real progress. Ewers managing the game with zero turnovers/sacks and moving the chains on third down would feel like legitimate development.

Ian Boyd – Now would be a great time for Ewers to find the range of Xavier Worthy on some play-action shots of their own. Texas can’t win this game if they have to match Penix with Brooks.

Joe Cook – Actions speak louder than words. Did Ewers study the Washington defense enough to be prepared for whatever they throw at him? Did he work on his footwork to where he’s not just trying to Mahomes the ball to receivers unnecessarily? Can he finally link up with Worthy? He’s said he has done all those things in practice, and it sounds like Sark thinks the same. Let’s see it happen.

Paul Wadlington – The Washington defense offers a lot of opportunities to any QB that can see the field and deliver an accurate ball on time. Texas doesn’t need Ewers to throw for 400+ to win, but he has to be efficient. 

Bobby Burton – Let’s shoot for taking care of the ball and a 65 percent completion rate, plus hitting on a downfield ball or two.

Gerry Hamilton – Just continued growth. The Texas offensive staff’s stock is up on Ewers headed into the game, offseason, and year two. I’m the same way. 

5. Texas-Washington prediction/outcomes:

Eric Nahlin – This is the sister bowl for me. One went to UT, another to U-Dub. The UT sister also received a degree from Purdue, so shout out to Hudson Card there. U-Dub was actually my first favorite CFB team given my dad lived within walking distance of campus. Nostalgia is fun but I’ll be going with UT based on an increasingly better pass defense. Texas 34, Washington 27.

Justin Wells – Texas 40, Washington 27. Steve Sarkisian would love to beat Washington, but he’d rather beat the No. 12 team in the country and go into 2023 with a sh*t ton of momentum and good vibes.

Ian Boyd – Washington 34, Texas 24

Joe Cook – My prediction? Points. I haven’t really liked this matchup for Texas because I think despite the Longhorns’ physical advantage, Washington’s ability to successfully pass without the foundation of a successful run game works in their favor. Washington 41, Texas 35

Paul Wadlington – Texas 31, Washington 30

Bobby Burton – Washington 34, Texas 31

Gerry Hamilton – Texas 31, Washington 28