Bruce Feldman 50/50 when previewing Texas vs. Washington in CFP semifinal
The story of the four-team College Football Playoff has largely been about blowouts occurring. Last season’s national championship game was a prime example, with Georgia boat racing TCU. Never once was it close and leaving a lot left to be desired.
In the format’s final season, we have two incredible matchups on paper. The nightcap will fittingly take place in New Orleans, with the Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies playing in the Sugar Bowl. Big 12 and Pac-12 champions, respectfully, it’s a rematch of last year’s Alamo Bowl.
Texas will take the field as favorites but if you ask Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, anything could happen at the Ceasers Superdome. Both offenses are going to steal headlines, with Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb running the show in purple, while Steve Sarkisian dawns the burnt orange.
“Michael Penix and those receivers are really good,” Feldman said. “Can put up points on anybody. And then you have Sark and we know he’s a great play caller. They have a lot of firepower. I think this game is going to be a wild shootout. Honestly, to me, it’s a 50/50 tossup on what happens. I wouldn’t be surprised on if it’s a blowout. I wouldn’t be surprised if either team won.”
Texas has been blowing opponents out of late, taking care of business early against Texas Tech early in the regular season finale before beating Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game. A string of close games are there earlier on the schedule though — ones thought of as potential CFP blockers at the time.
If there is one thing Feldman is taking into consideration, it’s Washington continually finding a way to win when being doubted. Nobody truly expected them to win the Pac-12 title game against Oregon, with many even saying the Ducks would win by a couple of scores.
Somehow, some way, the Huskies win football games. In a College Football Playoff game as tight as this one, you have to take it into consideration.
“There is something special about that Washington team,” Feldman said. “Kalen DeBoer is a guy, even diehard college football fans, wouldn’t even recognize. But he has that team with an incredible amount of belief in him and each other. They keep finding ways to win and that’s not fluky or anything.”
Kickoff from New Orleans is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Hopefully, Feldman is correct about the game being a tossup and is the second classic we witness on the day.