FanDuel didn’t hold back on Christmas when it came to Texas Longhorns fans. They unveiled odds for potential championship game scenarios, pitting the Longhorns against Washington, Alabama, or Michigan. Surprisingly, it seems Texas is the underdog, regardless of their opponent in the championship.
Currently, ESPN considers the Longhorns favorites to defeat Washington, giving them a 4.5-point advantage with a 69.2% chance of victory. But if they advance to the championship and face Alabama, the tide turns. Alabama, whom Texas defeated convincingly back in Week 2, is expected to be 2.5-point favorites.
While the game won’t be hosted in Austin, the Houston location should provide Texas with a substantial fan advantage. Keep in mind that this will be a different Alabama team, especially since they weren’t certain about Jalen Milroe as their quarterback at the time. However, the Crimson Tide found their groove, winning 11 straight games after Milroe took the reins following a benching against USF.
Should Alabama lose to Michigan and face Texas in the championship, they are still favored, with a 3-point edge. Their formidable defense holds opponents to a mere 9.4 points per game. Interestingly, this matchup could be the start of a trilogy, as these two teams are set to clash again next season and in 2027.
Before Texas can worry about the championship, they must first overcome a formidable Washington team.