‘Level of disrespect’ stuns Huskies ahead of CFP

Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterDec 29, 2023, 05:43 PM ET

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• ACC reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.NEW ORLEANS– For the 2nd straight game, Washington players are scratching their heads and asking themselves the exact same concern:”We’re underdogs once again? “Regardless of being unbeaten and ranked greater than Oregon in the Pac-12 national championship, Washington was a 9.5-point underdog entering into that one. The Huskies went out and beat Oregon for the second time this season on Dec. 1, clinching a 13-0 record and an area in the College Football Playoff.Now, No. 2 Washington is undefeated and ranked ahead of No. 3 Texas(12-1 ). Yet, the Longhorns are 4-point favorites heading into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Monday night. It needs to likewise be noted that Washington beat Texas in 2015 in the Alamo Bowl.”I believe it’s crazy,”Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice said Friday during media schedule.” Simply the level of disrespect we get, I can’t really comprehend it, however it helps us because it makes us have our backs against the wall as we enter into these games, ready to play even harder due to the fact that we are the underdogs. You don’t take anything for given out there. We’re grateful to be in the position we’re at since of the hard work we put in. We can be the underdog. We can be on top, and we’ll come out with the win. “Trice later informed ESPN that” I want to head out there and smack them. You know, I don’t desire it to be a close game. I want it to be pretty uneven in our favor.” And I think that’s what we’re going to go out there and do, since I know the mindset that my guys on my team have going into this game. I think it’s a big part of what’s going to make us successful in this game is our mindset based off of what individuals been stating.” When asked why he believed Washington continued to be dealt with like

  an underdog regardless of all the wins, Trice merely stated,” I don’t understand. I could not inform you.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated There is one theory that Trice eventually stated could represent the disrespect Washington feels:

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  the West Coast. The Pac-12 had a six-year playoff drought before Washington made it.”It absolutely has a part to do with that,” Trice said. “We’re the first Pac-12 team to be in the Sugar Bowl. That’s a great sensation due to the fact that we’re going to come out here and leave our mark and take a win. “Plus, the Huskies had to sustain several close calls this season. In the three games before the Pac-12 title game, Washington won each by

  a touchdown or less. That consists of a 24-21 success over Washington State in the regular-season ending, in which the Huskies required a basket without any time delegated win.Trice stated the whole team feels frustrated being labeled an underdog. However cornerback Dominique Hampton took a more practical technique when asked about it.”We have actually remained in that position all year, and we’ve simply got to head out and prove it again,”he said.Just a year ago in the Alamo Bowl, in spite of having injuries and opt-outs, Texas went into the game as a 3-point favorite. Washington won 27-20 as Michael Penix Jr. tossed for 287 lawns and 2 touchdowns in what would

  be a preview for this season.Both groups have actually been asked concerns about whether their game last season assists preparations heading into Monday night. Texas has actually consistently said it is a far better group on its offending and defensive lines, prompting a back-and-forth in between T’Vondre Sweat and Penix throughout their availability Thursday.After Sweat called Washington simply another offending line, Penix stated,” We’re not playing the 49ers’or Eagles ‘D-line so we’ll be excellent. “When Trice was asked whether he saw remarks from Texas about its offensive line thinking it remains in much better position than it was throughout their bowl game in 2015, he said,”

  I didn’t research it excessive, but they think they’re excellent. I believe we’re greater.”