Bowl games are all about who is present, both physically and mentally, and the Longhorns could have a lot of absence to deal with here. Three star players are skipping the bowl game for the draft: running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, and linebacker Demarvion Overshown.
Robinson and Johnson combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns this season. Overshown was the Longhorns’ No. 2 tackler with 96. And backup quarterback Hudson Card has portalized.
Meanwhile, top 10 Heisman finisher Washington quarterback Michael Penix is not only playing in the bowl game, he’s coming back in 2023 as well.