A pair of Top 25 teams get together in the Alamodome for the 30th rendition of a bowl game with tie-ins to the Pac 12 and Big 12. Texas is no stranger to the game and the city of San Antonio as they make their 6th appearance in the game, the most of any team, going 4-1 SU thus far. Washington will be making its second appearance after falling to Baylor 67-56 in the 2011 edition. Continue reading below to get our best Texas vs Washington totals Betting Picks and much more.
The game has always been supported by the fans of San Antonio, and fanbases have traveled to Texas to explore the Riverwalk and all the city has to offer to give the game plenty of buzz and excitement, unlike other bowl games. With the exception of the COVID year in 2020, attendance has almost always eclipsed the 60,000 mark.
Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies Odds
As is the case with most bowl games, especially those without CFP implications, a star’s defection could have a major impact on not only the markets but the outcome. Texas star RB Bijan Robinson, considered by some to be a Heisman favorite, has decided to skip the trip to San Antonio and will prepare for the NFL draft.
In this piece, we will give you all you need to know when it comes to the Texas vs Washington totals, including a look at our college football picks, college football injuries, and much more. The Alamo Bowl is the third of three NCAAF games on the NCAAF schedule for Thursday.
Texas Longhorns Season Forecast
With Robinson and heralded quarterback Quinn Ewers in the fold much was expected in coach Steve Sarkisian’s second season in Austin. After a 5-7 year in 2021, hopes were sky high among Longhorn faithful as they wanted their beloved team to make a splash in the Big 12 before departing for the SEC next season.
After drubbing Louisiana-Monroe, top-ranked Alabama and a national pregame show came to Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Week Two. The Longhorns, as nearly three-touchdowns home dogs, fell to Bama 20-19 in a thriller giving Nick Saban and company all they could handle, threatening to drop them in the NCAAF standings.
The other three losses on Texas’ schedule all were by one possession or less, falling on the road to Texas Tech, in Stillwater to Oklahoma State, and at home against CFP participant TCU. Keep this in mind when considering Texas vs Washington totals.
Moneyline
Opening Line
The moneyline for this matchup opened for Texas as a -160 favorite.
How the Line Has Moved and Why
The moneyline currently moved down just a smidge to -157, likely because of Robinson’s defection as the junior RB declared for the draft on Dec. 19 following the opening of the market.
What Make Lose the Bet
It’s not so much what Texas will do wrong to make this bet a loser but what the Huskies will do right as they enter on a six-game winning streak. Penix has already announced he is returning, so this game could be something Washington looks at as a building block for next season.
Spread Line
Opening Line
The line opened with Texas as a 3.5-point favorite over Washington.
How the Line Has Moved and Why
Depending on where you look, the number and juice have shifted somewhat as Texas can now be found in some places at -110 and -3. Again, this can be attributed to the Robinson news.
In addition, fellow RB Roschon Johnson and LB DeMarvion Overshown are also out, preparing for the draft. Interestingly, Robinson was the 2020 Offensive MVP, while Overshown claimed Defensive MVP honors in that game.
What Make Lose the Bet
If Texas is unable to generate offense, meaning Ewers is ineffective, it could be a long night for the Horns since, during the season, they ran it 50 percent of the time and are now without their top two backs.
Total
Opening Line
The opening line in Texas vs Washington totals was 67.5 points.
How the Line Has Moved and Why
The line is still at 67.5 but has gone as high as 68 and as low as 66. This time of year, markets tend to shift and fluctuate as bettors analyze other bowl games and try to equate the performance of a certain team and conference and how that will carry over.
What Make Lose the Bet
Washington has scored 49 or more points in three of its last six, and Texas’ defense allows 26.3 points per game. Plus, this bowl game has been known to produce shootouts, with the last five editions of it averaging a total of 67 points. However, three of the last five games have produced totals of 76, 78, and 79.
Texas Betting Trend to Know
Texas has beaten the number in three of its last four games.
Washington Huskies Season Forecast
Washington’s program was in somewhat of a state of disarray following last season, in which Washington officials fired coach Jimmy Lake midseason.
Enter Kalen Deboer, who found success both as the head coach at his alma mater, the University of Sioux Falls; he went 67-3 in 5 years and then at Fresno State as he led the Bulldogs the previous two seasons.
Prior to his stint in Fresno, Deboer coordinated the Indiana offense, and upon his arrival in Seattle, former Indiana signal-caller Michael Penix, Jr. decided to reunite with his old mentor.
Granted, September didn’t necessarily feature a murderer’s row of opponents, but Washington went 4-0 to open the year equaling its 2021 win total in the process, with wins over Michigan State and Stanford highlighting things.
Ranked 15th going into Los Angeles, the Huskies fell to UCLA by eight. After a loss the following week in Tempe to Arizona State, the Huskies won 6 in a row.
In the streak, the team downed Oregon at Oregon and thrashed rival Washington State in the Apple Cup.
Moneyline
Opening Line
Washington opened at +130 on the moneyline.
How the Line Has Moved and Why
The line has moved up a touch, going to +145 in some spots. Texas’ history and success in this game may have been a factor.
What Make Lose the Bet
If Texas can figure out a way to effectively run the ball without their best two backs and their signal-caller Quinn Ewers gets going, it could be a long night for fans of the Huskies.
Spread Line
Opening Line
Washington opened as 3.5-point underdogs.
How the Line Has Moved and Why
There was a small, subtle line movement to 3 points which is still out there in some places, but there are plenty of 3.5’s out there for those who fancy the Huskies.
What Make Lose the Bet
The Huskies have been on fire as of late. In the event that the break between the Apple Cup and this game affects them, they could fall victim to a Longhorn team with youngsters anxious to cement their spots in the lineup in 2023.
Total
Opening Line
The Texas vs. Washington total opened at 67.5.
How the Line Has Moved and Why
The line has fluctuated somewhat, going as low as 66 and as high as 6eight but now has settled back, meaning that most likely, the 67.5 number is what is fair to both sides as even action is reportedly coming in both ways on this number.
What Make Lose the Bet
As mentioned, three of the last five and five of the last 10 Alamo Bowls have had totals of 75 or higher, making this number low.
In the last three UW games, the totals have been 71, 61, and 84. We tend to think the over is a sensible play. However, it concerns us that there has not been a ton of fluctuation in the markets with it.
Washington Betting Trend to Know
The Huskies are 0-4 ATS in their last four neutral site games as an underdog.
Most Profitable Players of this Matchup to Bet On
Washington QB Michael Penix
Penix has been able to carry over his success from the Big 10 to the Pac-12, which is known as more of a passing league. His numbers this year have resembled a video game as he threw for 516 against Arizona and 485 against Wazzu. In fact, he has gone over 300 on ten occasions this season.
Penix could easily throw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns against the Longhorns, so be sure to shop around.
Washington WR Jalen McMillan
McMillian has emerged as one of Penix’s favorite targets this season. He has caught six or more balls on eight occasions and scored touchdowns in seven of the Huskies’ 12 games. Look for him to be used early and often by Penix against a Texas defensive secondary that ranks 179th among all FBS and FCS schools in pass defense.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers
Ewers has been somewhat injury prone but has shown flashes of brilliance this season. In his past four games, he has not completed more than 18 passes. In fact, his season-high in completions game in the rout over Oklahoma, in a game which saw him connect 21 times.
The tendency here is to look for low-hanging fruit and take an over on Ewers’ completions and even yards because of Robinson’s and Johnson’s absences.
Plus Washington’s pass defense hasn’t exactly been stellar. With all of that said, we have had an entire season to look at Ewers’s body or work and just can’t see him breaking out and dominating through the air. Look to play under inflated numbers here.
Odds Breakdown
The best bet here would be taking Ewers under 249.5 total passing yards. He has only thrown for that number two times and, in fact, has only thrown for more than 199 yards three times this season.
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