The University of Texas (UT) Longhorns football team is preparing for a significant match against the University of Washington (UW) Huskies, aiming to secure a place in the College Football Playoff National Championship. This situation mirrors a decade-old scenario when the Longhorns were on the brink of a similar victory, marking the beginning of the University of Alabama's dynasty.
The importance of this game is not lost on either the Longhorns or their head coach Steve Sarkisian, who once coached for the Huskies. ESPN reports that UT views this match as an opportunity for redemption and to add another national crown to their 2005 victory. The report also mentions that UW defeated the Longhorns in 2022.
Longhorns defender Barryn Sorrell said to ESPN, "It's for all the guys that were here during that 5-7 year. We took some very tough losses and we took some very tough criticism behind it as well, so taking those moments and using it as fuel to get these wins."
According to Sports Illustrated, UT might have to play without one of Quinn Ewers' favorite targets, wide receiver Xavier Worthy, due to an ankle injury. Despite not being fully fit, Worthy confirmed his participation in the New Year's Day game. If UT emerges victorious against UW, they will face either Michigan or Alabama for college football's ultimate prize a week later.