Huskies QB Penix can make early 2023 statement in Alamo Bowl
By The Associated Press - Dec. 28, 2022 12:49 PM EST
FILE - Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to pass against Colorado during an NCAA college football game Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. Penix has opted to put off the NFL for another year and college football's leading passer leads the No. 12 Huskies against No. 21 Texas in the Alamo Bowl. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
FILE - Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to pass against Colorado during an NCAA college football game Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. Penix has opted to put off the NFL for another year and college football's leading passer leads the No. 12 Huskies against No. 21 Texas in the Alamo Bowl. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)

Alamo Bowl: No. 21 Texas (8-4, Big 12) vs. No. 12 Washington (10-2, Pac-12), Dec. 29, 9 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)

FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Texas by 3 1/2.

Series record: Texas leads 3-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Both teams can make a statement for 2023 with a win and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who opted to put off the NFL for another year, can put his name into next season's early Heisman Trophy chatter with a big game. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers needs a solid outing or can expect to hear a lot about incoming freshman Arch Manning, one of the top-rated recruits in the country, coming after his job next year.

KEY MATCHUP

Washington WRs Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze vs Texas secondary. Both Huskies receivers have topped, 1,000 yards this season and face a Longhorns secondary that surrendered 16 passing touchdowns, the least in the Big 12.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Washington: Penix leads the nation with 4,354 yards passing yards and 362.8 per game in an offense that averaged more than 27 first downs per game.

Texas: With RBs Bijan Robinson (1,580 yards) and Roschon Johnson (554 yards) both skipping the bowl game as they head to the NFL, Texas will lean heavily on junior Keilan Robinson and freshman Jonathan Brooks. Those two have a total of 41 carries for 252 yards.

FACTS & FIGURES

First-year Washington coach Kalen DeBoer led the Huskies to their first bowl game since 2019 ... Texas lost three games to ranked opponents by a total of 15 points ... Washington is on a six-game win streak ... The Huskies' 67-56 loss to Baylor in the 2011 Alamo Bowl is still the highest-scoring, non-overtime bowl game in history. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was the Washington coach in that game ... Ewers hasn't topped 200 yards passing in four consecutive games, but Texas went 3-1 in that stretch ... Texas leading WR Xavier Worthy has 676 yards on the season but no touchdowns in the last three games.

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