For the first time since 2021 we will be treated to a traditional New Year’s Day slate of big bowl games, including both of the College Football Playoff semifinals. The second semifinal will take place at the Sugar Bowl between No. 3 Texas and No. 2 Washington in a game that has the potential to be an absolute barn burner. The Huskies are returning to the College Football Playoff for the second time after making a previous appearance in 2016, while the Longhorns are set to make their CFP debut in pursuit of their first national title since 2005.
The College Football Playoff semifinals return to New Year’s Day for the first time since January 2021 with the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl serving as this season’s hosts. The latter between has the makings of an absolute barn burner. The Huskies are back in the College Football Playoff for the second time after making a previous appearance in 2016, while the Longhorns are set to make their CFP debut in pursuit of their first national title since 2005.
From high-powered offenses to upcoming conference moves in 2024, plenty of similarities are to be had between Texas and Washington as they head to New Orleans. Anchored by the nation’s top passing attack, the Huskies sit unblemished after winning a Pac-12 title race that looked as if it could be anyone’s crown to claim before 10 of the league’s 12 members depart for other conferences; Washington is one of four headed to the Big Ten. The Huskies beat three ranked opponents along the way, including No. 8 Oregon twice. It leaves coach Kalen DeBoer, now 24-2 overall in just his second season as Washington coach, looking like that much more of a home-run hire.
For Texas, one of college football’s most iconic brands appears back to its winning ways at last, and just in time for a grand entrance into the SEC ahead of the 2024 season. The Longhorns have already broken through for both their first Big 12 championship and 12-win season since 2009 in Steve Sarkisian’s third year on the Forty Acres, signaling what will be at least a four-win improvement from last year’s 8-5 finish. But like Washington, the eyes of Texas are set on an even bigger prize — one that will first require handling business in the Big Easy.
How to watch Sugar Bowl live
Date: Monday, Jan. 1 | Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
Location: Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for…
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