Texas’ Alamo Bowl expectations should be a little bit more than the grain of salt most teams should look at their bowl games with this week. While Texas will have a lot of it’s 2022 key players. The production will be 50% gone with the absence of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. The formula that showed progress in 2022 should be the focal point. However, they will have to add a flash of the 2023 formula.
Texas Offense in the Alamo Bowl
When Texas lines up for the Alamo Bowl. A few things need to happen. Quinn needs to have good footwork consistently. Similar to his first three games at Texas. The offensive line must stay healthy as they have the entire season. Jonathon Brooks and Jaydon Blue must show they can handle being the focal point of the run game.
Quinn Ewers and Xavier Worthy had connection issues when Quinn Ewers came back from injury this season. Throughout the bowl workouts and preparation, that’s been an improving connection. But Quinn Ewers needs to find it in himself. Footwork, knowledge of the playbook, and field vision have to serious improvement between the Alamo Bowl and conference play next season. Steve Sarkisian can’t and with the quarterback being his guys won’t wait for another year.
Maalik Murphy was held back in 2022 because of an injury and having his throwing motion fixed. If that’s not a problem and Arch Manning is picking up the playbook well. Quinn Ewers has two guys behind him who will not have to wait long next year if he doesn’t improve the three deficiencies that affected his ability in 2022.
Running Backs and Offensive Line
Jonathon Brooks and Jaydon Blue have had the benefit of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson being the focal point of the running game. While late announcements were made, Washington no doubt had to be preparing for these two highly-ranked running backs themselves. With all starting offensive linemen returning plus a tight end in Ja’Tavion Sanders, the defense must be accountable for knowing where he’s at on the field.
Texas Defense in the Alamo Bowl
Texas won’t have DeMarvion Overshown for the bowl game. Barryn Sorrell and Jaylan Ford will be available. Barryn Sorrell was the 2022 sack leader with 7.5 sacks and Jaylan Ford has a six game turnover streak and was the Big 12 tackle leader. The front seven for the Texas defense has been huge for the turnaround from 2021. With the second most quarterback pressures in the 2022 season.
The secondary was an issue after the first team guys. A group that rotates quite a bit will have some younger players filling the shoes of older players that have already transferred to other programs. D’Shawn Jamison and Anthony Cook will be gone after Texas’ Alamo Bowl game. Ryan Watts, Jahdae Barron, and Terrance Brooks played well this year and will have an explosive group from Washington to deal with in San Antonio.
Washington Key Players
First-year head coach, Kalen DeBoer turned around Washington from a 4-8 2021 season. Washington went 10-2 this year behind Michael Penix Jr. He had 4,354 passing yards on 66 percent completion. Their two biggest receivers had at least 70 receptions and 14.6 yards per reception. Rome Odunze had 1,088 yards and Jalen McMillan had 1,040 yards this season.
In the running game, Wayne Taulapapa led the way with 126 carries for 779 yards. Cameron Davis was also featured in finishing the regular season with 107 carries and 522 yards. Both had double digit touchdowns in 2022. Taking away sacks, the team rushed 365 times for 1,794 yards.
Defensively, all tackle leaders are on the second and third level, but only tally 5 sacks between them. Though Texas will have a tough assignment Jeremiah Martin who had 8.5 of the teams 35 sacks this year. And with a struggling secondary Asa Turner and Makell Esteen each had two interceptions.
Conclusion
With so many key players either opting out or already in the transfer portal. Texas is somehow a three point favorite at the Alamo bowl. Washington’s a good run defense but a bad pass defense. So the path is there with none of these players being in the receiver room. But accounting for Bijan and Roachon will mean something for Texas’ Alamo Bowl chances. But with an already thin linebacker and secondary group, Michael Penix hr. could have a big day as well. Texas will need a consistent performance on offense and some defensive players to have grown some through bowl practices on the two and three deep. Texas wins 44-42 at the Alamo Bowl.
https://texas-talk.com/2022/12/13/texas-way-too-early-2023-season-key-to-success/
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