The first College Football Playoff in 2014-15 featured the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl as the two semifinal games. That will be the case again in 2023.
That first year, No. 1 Alabama played No. 4 Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning the game and moving on to win the national championship. Since then, the Sugar Bowl has been a CFP semifinal twice, first with No. 4 Alabama beating No. 1 Clemson en route to a title on Jan. 1, 2018, then between No. 3 Ohio State and No. 2 Clemson with the Buckeyes winning 49-28 before falling to No. 1 Alabama in the national championship.
The Sugar Bowl has this status for a reason. It has been played since 1935, tied for the second-oldest bowl game in college football. It has decided national champions, and it could be in position to do that again.
MORE: Watch the Sugar Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)
Who will be playing in this year's Sugar Bowl? Here's what you need to know.
When is the Sugar Bowl 2023
- Date: Jan. 1, 2024
- Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
- TV broadcast: ESPN
- Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
Who plays in the Sugar Bowl 2023?
The best college football games are often the ones with the most scoring, and the most high-powered offenses. If that's the case, the Sugar Bowl figures to be a thriller.
No. 2 Washington will meet up against No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl with each team looking to claim its first-ever CFP win. And there is certainly going to be plenty of scoring.
The head coaches, Kalen DeBoer and Steve Sarkisian, are two of the most creative offensive play-designers in the sport, and it's shown on the field this year. Texas and Washington rank 10th and 12th in total offense this year and 16th and 11th in scoring offense, respectively.
Both these teams are loaded with star power. Even without running back Jonathan Brooks, Texas' offense features former top overall recruit Quinn Ewers at quarterback and star wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonia Mitchell. And tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders has been a dangerous threat in the receiving game as well.
With Washington, it's a lot of speed from the Huskies. Likely Heisman Trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr. has plenty of weapons at his disposal, throwing to Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. Running back Dillon Johnson has been a force in recent games, with at least 80 rushing yards in each of his past six games, including 152 yards against Oregon in the Pac-12 championship and 256 yards against USC.
Sugar Bowl odds
- Spread: Texas -4.5
- Moneyline: Texas -185 | Washington +155
- Over/under: 64.5
BetMGM has listed the Longhorns as the early favorites in the semifinal clash. Washington is undefeated, but Texas has had better recruiting classes and has the more impressive win on its plate with a victory over Alabama.
But Washington was a 9.5-point underdog against Oregon, and came around to win, its latest victory in a season full of tough games in the vaunted Pac-12.
Where is the Sugar Bowl being played in 2023?
The 2023 Sugar Bowl will be played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Sugar Bowl has been played in New Orleans with one exception, which came in 2006 when the game was played in the Georgia Dome due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
New Year's 6 Bowl schedule 2023
ESPN will carry each New Year's 6 bowl game in 2023.
| Date | Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| Dec. 29 | Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic | Ohio State vs. Missouri | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Dec. 30 | Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl | Ole Miss vs. Penn State | Noon | ESPN, Fubo |
| Dec. 30 | Capital One Orange Bowl | Florida State vs. Georgia | 4 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Jan. 1 | Vrbo Fiesta Bowl | Liberty vs. Oregon | 1 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Jan. 1 | Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential | Michigan vs. Alabama | 5 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Jan. 1 | Allstate Sugar Bowl | Washington vs. Texas | 8:45 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Jan. 8 | National Championship Presented by AT&T | TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
