Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3). Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sugar Bowl 2024 odds: Can the Longhorns win if they get an early jump on the Huskies?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/20/23

After an impressive Big 12 victory against Oklahoma State, the Texas Longhorns captured their first conference title since 2009 and now have a run at their first college football title since the CFP era began.

In addition to being a 6-point favorite at DraftKings in the 2024 Sugar Bowl, the Longhorns are also favored at -175 to get to 10 points first in the big New Year's Day showdown. This makes sense given that this Texas team has been good over their 12-1 season of getting on the board first and setting the tone for the rest of the game. However, the Longhorns will face a Washington Huskies squad in New Orleans that even the dominant Oregon Ducks couldn't keep from climbing up the scoreboard.

With that in mind, one compound question facing Steve Sarkisian's team ahead of their semifinal matchup against the Huskies is: Can the Longhorns win the race to 10 points — and then not let it go?

New Years threads @SugarBowlNola x #HookEm pic.twitter.com/XJHuNi8mOJ
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 19, 2023

Over the seven-game winning streak that capped off their 2023 campaign, the Longhorns were the first to 10 points on all seven occasions even though they ended the first quarter with a lead just six times. Even in an awkward start against Iowa State where they were outscored 3-0 in the first quarter, the Longhorns still rebounded and were the first to reach 10 points thanks to a Quinn Ewers touchdown pass at the beginning of the third quarter.

After looking at that streak, it's no wonder Texas is the favorite at DK to score 10 points first on New Year's Day.

But bettors beware. Betting the Longhorns to win the race to 10 points doesn't mean you should automatically bet on them to win the entire game as well.

While Texas found a way to string seven wins together, they had some close calls thanks to their opponents mounting fourth-quarter comebacks. In their 33-30 overtime win against Kansas State on Nov. 4, the Wildcats scored 16 points late in the game to force OT. The following week, the Longhorns gave up 20 fourth-quarter points to TCU and only won by a field goal.

Washington has come from behind to win each other their last three games, which will further challenge Texas to keep its foot on the gas.

So when it comes to Texas being the first team to 10 points on Jan. 1, you have a good chance of getting a return on your wager. Just don't think that will guarantee they will cover the spread or be the outright winner. An early jump may not be enough to keep the Huskies down.

Start your betting day right! Sign up for Bark Bets, the best sports betting newsletter on the web!

More must-reads: