
Washington +6.5 vs Ohio State - Rose Bowl - Is this really Urban Meyer’s game on the sidelines? I doubt it. He’s done this before. But before he he turns into some kind of AD behind a desk, he’s coaching in his first Rose Bowl.
Meyer is 11-3 all-time in bowl games, his teams show up in these things – and the BuckNuts will have a serious chip on their shoulders. There’s being disrespected, and then there’s being the first 12-win Power Five conference champion to not get into the College Football Playoff.
Washington continues on with its amazing run under Chris Petersen. He might be struggling lately in bowl games – losing three of his four with the Huskies – but none were bad losses. Last year was a Fiesta loss to Penn State, and the year before was a CFP loss to Alabama.
The program is back in the Rose Bowl for the first time since the win over Drew Brees and Purdue in the 2001 version. Both schools are making their 15th Rose Bowl appearances but have never previously met in Pasadena.
The OSU offense revolves around QB Dwayne Haskins. The Ohio State quarterback could be looking at his final college game. Haskins hasn’t declared for the NFL draft but it seems to be a no-brainer as he is expected to be the top-rated quarterback on the board this season with Justin Herbert of Oregon choosing to return to school.
Haskins can improve his stock with a solid performance against a tough Washington defense. Haskins has thrown for 4,580 yards with 47 touchdowns against only eight interceptions this season. He isn’t much of a rushing threat so Washington will likely aim to blitz him and make Haskins feel uncomfortable in the pocket. If the Buckeyes’ offensive line gives him time, Haskins figures to deliver.
Meyer is 11-3 all-time in bowl games, his teams show up in these things – and the BuckNuts will have a serious chip on their shoulders. There’s being disrespected, and then there’s being the first 12-win Power Five conference champion to not get into the College Football Playoff.
Washington continues on with its amazing run under Chris Petersen. He might be struggling lately in bowl games – losing three of his four with the Huskies – but none were bad losses. Last year was a Fiesta loss to Penn State, and the year before was a CFP loss to Alabama.
The program is back in the Rose Bowl for the first time since the win over Drew Brees and Purdue in the 2001 version. Both schools are making their 15th Rose Bowl appearances but have never previously met in Pasadena.
The OSU offense revolves around QB Dwayne Haskins. The Ohio State quarterback could be looking at his final college game. Haskins hasn’t declared for the NFL draft but it seems to be a no-brainer as he is expected to be the top-rated quarterback on the board this season with Justin Herbert of Oregon choosing to return to school.
Haskins can improve his stock with a solid performance against a tough Washington defense. Haskins has thrown for 4,580 yards with 47 touchdowns against only eight interceptions this season. He isn’t much of a rushing threat so Washington will likely aim to blitz him and make Haskins feel uncomfortable in the pocket. If the Buckeyes’ offensive line gives him time, Haskins figures to deliver.

Washington has the secondary to contain Haskins. They recently faced the nation’s No. 1 passing offense in Washington State, a team, arch rival to be more specific, that UW handled 28-15. The Cougars, who average 379.8 yards through the air per game, amassed an anemic 152 passing yards in the Apple Cup.
Granted it was in a horrific snowstorm but WSU QB Gardner Minshew was picked off twice and did not throw a single touchdown pass.
For Washington, senior quarterback Jake Browning is the school's all-time leader in career passing yardage (11,983) and touchdown passes (94) but he battled consistency issues while passing for 2,879 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions this season.
The key here is its ability to get off the field – Ohio State led the Big Ten in third down defense. The offense might have finished second in the nation, but it was the ability to come up with just enough stops to let the attack do its thing that turned out to be the difference in big situations. It’s not a brick wall of a D, but stop Washington from converting third downs, and you stop Washington.
If this game comes down to field position it’s game set match in favor of Ohio State. Washington was dead last in the Pac-12 and 120th in the nation in net punting. State fans still have nightmares of Ohio State’s Drue Crisman who all but won the game, pinning the Spartans deep time and again with the Big Ten’s best punting game.
The trends favor the Buckeyes. They are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site games, 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games against the Pac-12 and 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl games. Washington is 2-6 ATS in their last eight overall, 1-4 ATS in their last five non-conference games and 1-5 ATS in their last six games on grass.
I’m going to take the Huskies and the points. Sure OSU will be motivated and the Huskies aren’t pretty in any way. But they’re tough, they pop, and they can pound away and grind it out if needed. This is a veteran team that’s been through the wars over the last three seasons.
No quatloos though. Meyer likes to run up the score if he can.
Granted it was in a horrific snowstorm but WSU QB Gardner Minshew was picked off twice and did not throw a single touchdown pass.
For Washington, senior quarterback Jake Browning is the school's all-time leader in career passing yardage (11,983) and touchdown passes (94) but he battled consistency issues while passing for 2,879 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions this season.
The key here is its ability to get off the field – Ohio State led the Big Ten in third down defense. The offense might have finished second in the nation, but it was the ability to come up with just enough stops to let the attack do its thing that turned out to be the difference in big situations. It’s not a brick wall of a D, but stop Washington from converting third downs, and you stop Washington.
If this game comes down to field position it’s game set match in favor of Ohio State. Washington was dead last in the Pac-12 and 120th in the nation in net punting. State fans still have nightmares of Ohio State’s Drue Crisman who all but won the game, pinning the Spartans deep time and again with the Big Ten’s best punting game.
The trends favor the Buckeyes. They are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site games, 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games against the Pac-12 and 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl games. Washington is 2-6 ATS in their last eight overall, 1-4 ATS in their last five non-conference games and 1-5 ATS in their last six games on grass.
I’m going to take the Huskies and the points. Sure OSU will be motivated and the Huskies aren’t pretty in any way. But they’re tough, they pop, and they can pound away and grind it out if needed. This is a veteran team that’s been through the wars over the last three seasons.
No quatloos though. Meyer likes to run up the score if he can.

Texas +12.5 vs Georgia – Sugar Bowl – It’s either the moment when Texas turns a corner, or when Georgia cements itself as one of the elite of the college football elite.
Georgia proved in its painfully close loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship that it’s almost certainly one of the four best teams in college football. But that loss, combine with the 36-16 loss to LSU, were enough to keep it out of the playoff. It still will want to show it deserves a playoff spot. Lose here and it will be “I told you so” time.
The Longhorns have enjoyed a renaissance in Tom Herman’s second season as coach, achieving their highest win total since a nine-win campaign in 2012 and are back in a high-profile bowl game for the first time since losing the BCS championship in 2009.
It’s no-lose situation for the Longhorns. Either the Longhorns lose, and it’s all part of the progression to get to a Big 12 Championship and then a big bowl game in the second year under Tom Herman. Win, and the excitement and hype will this off-season will be huge for what’s expected to be coming next. This should be a loose team that throws everything at the Bulldogs.
Both of these blue bloods have young, talented rosters, so this could be a preview of two of the top teams in the country next season.
Georgia proved in its painfully close loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship that it’s almost certainly one of the four best teams in college football. But that loss, combine with the 36-16 loss to LSU, were enough to keep it out of the playoff. It still will want to show it deserves a playoff spot. Lose here and it will be “I told you so” time.
The Longhorns have enjoyed a renaissance in Tom Herman’s second season as coach, achieving their highest win total since a nine-win campaign in 2012 and are back in a high-profile bowl game for the first time since losing the BCS championship in 2009.
It’s no-lose situation for the Longhorns. Either the Longhorns lose, and it’s all part of the progression to get to a Big 12 Championship and then a big bowl game in the second year under Tom Herman. Win, and the excitement and hype will this off-season will be huge for what’s expected to be coming next. This should be a loose team that throws everything at the Bulldogs.
Both of these blue bloods have young, talented rosters, so this could be a preview of two of the top teams in the country next season.

Georgia QB Jake Fromm doesn’t make big mistakes for the nation’s fifth-most efficient passing game. The Bulldogs average well over 13 yards per pass, they connect on third downs, and they hit big plays. The Texas defense can be hammered really, really hard by good, efficient passers, giving up 240 yards or more eight times. In the last nine games, Texas has allowed 19 touchdown passes with just five picks.
Georgia should dominate on third downs. Fromm is terrific, helping the offense finish second in the SEC and 11th in the nation converting 48% of its chances. Texas? It gives away third down conversion like candy at Halloween, allowing teams to convert over 44% of the time. Over the last six games, offenses are connecting on 50% or more their chances.
For Texas, let ‘er rip with the passing game. The offense, behind QB Sam Ehlinger, was able to keep up the pace with an efficient, effective air show that was amazing at keeping the chains moving and dinked and dunked defenses all game long. The Georgia pass defense might be outstanding, but it’s missing the biggest piece – Thorpe Award-winning corner Deandre Baker has decided to skip this to get ready for the NFL.
Texas has hit 200 yards or more through the air against everyone but Kansas, and it’s able to avoid big mistakes for long stretches – Sam Ehlinger didn’t throw a pick for ten straight games. Georgia allowed 200 yards or more in four of its last seven games.
And there’s no Georgia pass rush. The Bulldogs just don’t get behind the line enough.. Georgia was last in the SEC in total sacks and tackles for loss, and Texas only gave up an average of two sacks per game.
Georgia should dominate on third downs. Fromm is terrific, helping the offense finish second in the SEC and 11th in the nation converting 48% of its chances. Texas? It gives away third down conversion like candy at Halloween, allowing teams to convert over 44% of the time. Over the last six games, offenses are connecting on 50% or more their chances.
For Texas, let ‘er rip with the passing game. The offense, behind QB Sam Ehlinger, was able to keep up the pace with an efficient, effective air show that was amazing at keeping the chains moving and dinked and dunked defenses all game long. The Georgia pass defense might be outstanding, but it’s missing the biggest piece – Thorpe Award-winning corner Deandre Baker has decided to skip this to get ready for the NFL.
Texas has hit 200 yards or more through the air against everyone but Kansas, and it’s able to avoid big mistakes for long stretches – Sam Ehlinger didn’t throw a pick for ten straight games. Georgia allowed 200 yards or more in four of its last seven games.
And there’s no Georgia pass rush. The Bulldogs just don’t get behind the line enough.. Georgia was last in the SEC in total sacks and tackles for loss, and Texas only gave up an average of two sacks per game.

Georgia is more than just a passing game. The Bulldogs average 39.2 points and feature the nation’s 12th-best rushing offense at 251.6 yards per game, fronted by sophomore D’Andre Swift (1,037 yards, 10 touchdowns) and junior Elijah Holyfield (956 yards, seven scores).
Georgia is used to winning big. Outside of the clunker to LSU, Georgia won all of the other 11 regular season games by double-digits. Texas played close game after close game – nine of their games were decided by seven points or fewer before losing to Oklahoma in a thrilling 39-27 Big 12 Championship – with an offense that showed just enough explosion to keep up with the conference’s juggernaut attacks, and a D that could power down the weaker ones.
Both teams are on nice ATS streaks. Georgia is 13-5 ATS and 5-0 ATS in bowl/playoff games. Texas is 5-2 ATS last 7 neutral site games and 13-6-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Georgia is near automatic in Bowls . Going back to the 1987 Liberty, the Dawgs have gone 20-7 in the post-season.
The Saxy Lady won’t like it but I’ll take Texas and the points. Georgia will win but not cover. Like Auburn last year they may come in a little deflated after missing out on the playoffs. According to her, Dawg fans have gone to a Rose Bowl, national championship game and SEC champonship game lately. They also played at LSU this year, taking a side trip to the Big Easy, so another trip to New Orleans is meh. Tickets are going for less that face. Interest is just not there.
No quatloos, don’t want to poke the Bear.
Georgia is used to winning big. Outside of the clunker to LSU, Georgia won all of the other 11 regular season games by double-digits. Texas played close game after close game – nine of their games were decided by seven points or fewer before losing to Oklahoma in a thrilling 39-27 Big 12 Championship – with an offense that showed just enough explosion to keep up with the conference’s juggernaut attacks, and a D that could power down the weaker ones.
Both teams are on nice ATS streaks. Georgia is 13-5 ATS and 5-0 ATS in bowl/playoff games. Texas is 5-2 ATS last 7 neutral site games and 13-6-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Georgia is near automatic in Bowls . Going back to the 1987 Liberty, the Dawgs have gone 20-7 in the post-season.
The Saxy Lady won’t like it but I’ll take Texas and the points. Georgia will win but not cover. Like Auburn last year they may come in a little deflated after missing out on the playoffs. According to her, Dawg fans have gone to a Rose Bowl, national championship game and SEC champonship game lately. They also played at LSU this year, taking a side trip to the Big Easy, so another trip to New Orleans is meh. Tickets are going for less that face. Interest is just not there.
No quatloos, don’t want to poke the Bear.