POWERSPREAD

Another underrated team all year just like the first game. In this one, Washington is the underdog in the point spread, but surprisingly not with the many fans I’ve heard from or read online.

For me, Texas is the one team that isn’t one of the Top 4 Teams this year. That would be Georgia. But Texas is definitely playoff caliber. So here we go…

PS = Space x TimeTeam

CULTURE = Personnel / Operations / Strategy + MOMENTUM

Football = Talent / Execution / Scheme + MOMENT

*For a quick preview check out my CFP SF Sugar Bowl Podcast

OFFENSE – Washington Edge

Two genius Offensive Minds in Sark & DeBoer, but DeBoer is the future right now. Way better than people understand. His players are locked in with this scheme and in a Dome they are tough.

Talent – Tie

Based on Recruiting and Potential I’d give it to Texas for sure, but there is also development and the play on field. DeBoer’s Culture is so strong. He recruits kids with great attitude, smarts and develops their talent. Slight edges = 2-2, so it’s a wash.

QB – Wash Slight Edge

Penix vs Ewers. Ewers has all the ability. Penix has really developed under a great coach and scheme. Penix has his ups and downs. Ewers has more. Oklahoma State’s Defense was a joke and even in that game Ewers threw a bad pick6.

I’m worried about the backups in this game. Without Murphy (Transfer), Texas has True Freshman Manning. We’ve already seen new guys during playoff season – not good. Wash’s Dylan Morris started in 2021 but is transferring. He’s staying on thru the Playoffs, but where is his focus.

DeBoer and Sarkisian are brilliant OMinds (check my podcast). My guess is a lot of Quick Game + Max Protect will keep these QBs healthy this game. If I had to pick I’d take Morris’ experience over young Manning’s talent. I also would take Penix’s clutch confidence and “dawg” mentality over a very talented QB still growing.

RB – Texas Slight Edge

DEBOER LOVES POWER! Either out of Spread or Pro – matters not. Dillon Johnson is the perfect RB for him. Strong – Decisive – Terminator. Texas has the stronger talent/depth in Baxter/Blue/Robinson, but remember, Penix can run a little better than Ewers.

DeBoers Power+Spread+RPO schemes are the best, but based on pure talent gotta give Texas a slight edge due to depth.

WR – Wash Slight Edge

Everyone screams about the Wash WRs – Odunze,Polk,McMillan – w/o any understanding of the absolute BRILLIANCE of DeBoer’s Scheme and Grubb’s Play-Calling! Also not understanding that their TEs, Westover & Culp, and their backups – RB Nixon, Slots Bernard,Jackson – are also very good!

Texas actually has a more talented TRIO in Worthy, Mitchell(GA Xfer) & Sanders(#1 TE Recruit). The RBs are good receivers as well, but Texas doesn’t have the same type of Depth. A ton of talent on the bench, but very inexperienced compared to Wash.

DeBoer is all about Team Team Team and in a tough battle, having a plethora of WRs, could make a difference.

OLINE – Texas Slight Edge

Here’s where I’ll lose the little viewership I have. I give TX the slight edge with the Oline. Over the Joe Moore Award Winning Oline at Wash?? How could I, you say!? Especially when Kirk Herbstreit talked so much about their Oline during his P12 Ch Commentary. Well, I’ll tell you why – if you want to hear.

Texas had their 5+1 Starters all back from last year. Size + Athleticism. Big time Recruits with LT Banks, C Majors & RG Campbell. Strong with LG Conner, long time starter RT Christian Jones and backup G Hutson. They are healthy now and formidable in pass protection, which should help vs Wash’s speed on D.

Wash lost their whole interior from a year ago. Their returning Tackles, Fautanu & Rosengarten are NFL quality, but their Gs are solid at best. Their Redshirt Freshman C Brailsford has been a pleasant surprise. Why did they win the Joe Moore Award – SCHEME.

I know DeBoer would hate to see this, because his genius doesn’t work w/o his players – and certainly, Brailsford plays like a genius at Center, which is awesome to see – but this DeBoer Scheme makes the Execution and Production so attainable that it cannot be overlooked!

Because of the great play of the C & Ts of Wash, I will only give TX a slight edge. But they do get the nod for me.

Execution – Washington Slight Edge

Edge Washington because of DeBoer. His Scheme and the kind of kids he recruits. Texas executes well too. Sarkisian is a great OMind & still has a lot of WCO concepts in his PS Pro Scheme. So execution is the name of the game for both Head Coaches. But DeBoer’s Scheme is so executable and he has the best kids he’s ever had in his career right now. Slight edge.

Scheme – Washington Small Edge

This is the true edge for Washington’s Offense. Sark was my longtime favorite OMind, but now it’s DeBoer. To listen to me delve deeper go to my P12 Ch Review Podcast. 3 hours and the Time Stamps are still a work in progress.

DeBoer’s Full PS Multiple “Option Ideal” Scheme is the future. He’s the first College coach to truly tap into the 2030s. Because Sark is still so good, it’s only a small edge. For most it’s a big edge to DeBoer.

The fact that his right hand man – Ryan Grubb – is such a good play caller only makes it tougher to get the edge over Washington’s Offense.

Moment – Washington Small Edge

This is tricky. What is the confidence of each Offense right now? I’d say both are very high.

Washington had a rough patch on O during the season. Some bad weather. Some letdowns. But they are healthy and in a Dome. Watch Out!

DEFENSE – Texas Small Edge

As I said in my P12 Preview Podcast, Washington’s D is not horrible. They were beat up a lot of the year. With better health, they are very experienced and aren’t that far off of Texas’ D. The youth in the Back 7 worry me for Texas vs an amazing Offensive Scheme.

Talent – Texas Edge

Experienced Leaders vs Great Athletes. The difference in the talent on the DLines is the big difference. Texas is the better D, but the inexperience in their Back 7 is a bit scary.

DL – Texas Edge

TULI IS BACK! Huge difference for the Huskies w/ their star DT healthy. Except for Tuli Letuligasenoa & Ulumoo Ale, the Huskies interior is smallish. Along with lighter LBs they can be overpowered. But they are all fast and athletic. Brice & ZTF are quick off the edge as are the backups.

Texas has a monster in the middle in 350 lb TVondre Swift. Add in Byron Murphy, Collins, Broughton & Carter and the middle is stout. The edge guys are Sorrell, Burke & Bush. Not quite as dynamic as Wash, but close. Overall, Texas has the better DLine in both run and pass defense.

LB – Tie

Texas again has the better potential, but not the experience of Washington. Ford is strong. Hill is uber talented, but a true freshman.

Washington doesn’t have anyone as good as Ford or as talented as Hill, but they have 4 experienced LBs who are athletic, smart leaders. Ulofoshio, Tupuola, Bruener, Goforth. I give it a Tie.

DB – Tie

Again, it’s the same story. Vast Talent & Potential for Texas. Tons of Experience & Leadership for Washington. Just take the 2 Muhammads – Jabbar for Wash, Malik for Texas.

Malik is a true freshman but big time recruit who has come on late in the year. Jabbar is a 3Star Xfer Starter from OkSt. Jabbar has been solid all year.

Hampton, Turner, Powell all experienced solid starters for the Huskies. Jackson & Dixon a little younger w/ Fabiculanan, Nunley, Presley providing depth.

For the Longhorns, another high recruit true freshman Derek Williams came on late to join sophmore Taaffe at Safety. Soph Brooks at the other CB. Junior Barron at Nickel. Will a more veteran leader Ryan Watts come back at CB? That would be a big plus for a Secondary that will be hugely tested by DeBoer’s Offense.

A lot of Talent vs a lot of Experience. Tie.

Execution – Washington Slight Edge

The HCs and DCs are execution oriented so they strive for a high level of technique & fundamentals. Texas is young. Washington had a lot of injuries. The Longhorns are older now and the Huskies are healthy. I gave Washington a slight edge due once again to their experience & leadership.

Scheme – Tie

Kwiatkowski is a long time DC who has improved his scheme over the years. Gary Patterson – the Split Field Coverage Innovator – has been adding his expertise to the Scheme.

I wasn’t happy with the Schemes I saw from William Inge & Chuck Morrell during the year, but in the P12 game they were much more aggressive with some cool mix of pressure/coverage.

With better health I expect to continue to see some cool schemes from the Huskies. After a year with the young guys, the same can be said for Kwiatkowski. Tie.

Moment – Washington Slight Edge

Both Ds at their best right now and feeling confident. Young Texans know what they are doing now and can utilize their speed, but Wash has the experience, which is BIG in Big Games.

Special Teams – Texas Edge

Sarkisian takes SpTeams very seriously. I feel this is something that is still a work in progress for DeBoer. This is the one strong edge Texas has to make this game close or even a win!

Talent – Texas Edge

Talent is aplenty on Coverage & Returns for Texas. Worthy in particular as a PR. K/P are very good.

Washington shaky at K, though Gross came on late. P solid. Bernard a good returner. Good depth on D for the Coverage Teams.

Execution – Texas Slight Edge

ST Coach Banks for Texas does a good job. Washington is solid.

Scheme – Tie

The schemes are solid on both sides.

Moment – Tie

The way DeBoer handled Gross during his struggles is a testament to the Great Culture of DeBoer. That turn around has Wash looking good again on SpTeams heading into the CFB Playoffs. The athleticism and depth on Texas gives this team a lot of confidence on SpTeams.

ONE GAME CULTURE – Washington

Like the first Playoff Game, this one has an angry team that has been overlooked all year. It’s understandable. Fans/Media see a big Offense w/ QB/WRs that will be drafted and nothing else. They think the Oline must be great. They win an award. But this isn’t a team capable of beating the top teams. Especially having close games all year.

What they don’t see is the genius of Kalen DeBoer’s Offense. It’s subtle. Even more so his amazing Culture! Even more subtle. It’s not their talent in and of itself. They play for each other. So the sum is better than its parts. They can only stop themselves.

The least talented individuals in the playoffs just may be the best Team. If these guys play their game they will beat Texas. It may even get away from Texas late, because Washington definitely wants to stick it to everyone out there who refuses to see the greatness of this TEAM.

THE OFFENSE IS THE FUTURE. THE TEAM IS FULL OF “DAWGS”!

~PS