Three keys, prediction for Texas Washington Sugar Bowl: Quinn Ewers is the wild card

The Post’s Zach Braziller gives three keys and a prediction for Monday’s Sugar Bowl between Texas and Washington in New Orleans. The Texas quarterback was dominant in impressive wins over Alabama and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game, throwing for a combined seven touchdown passes and 801 yards in those two victories.

In his other nine games: 14 touchdowns and five interceptions, although he did complete 70.7 percent of his passes in those contests. He has a high variance, between brilliant and average. No team has faced more in game pressure than Washington, which has won nine consecutive games by 10 points or less and has seven wins by a single score.

The Huskies won’t blink if they are down in the fourth quarter or face an early deficit. This team has been there several times before. Texas was 121st in the country in the red zone in converting touchdowns at 49.1 percent, while Washington was 19th (70.3). That could be the difference in a game featuring two explosive offenses that were both top 10 in yards per game.

Texas 41, Washington 34 Two of the nation’s top scoring offenses won’t disappoint. This is a track meet not decided until the game’s final possession. Texas has the ball last, and Ewers adds to his big game résumé by leading the Longhorns to their first championship game since 2009..