Underdog Washington Huskies set to 'leave our mark' in CFP - ESPN

NEW ORLEANS — For the second straight game, Washington players are scratching their heads and asking themselves the same question: «We're underdogs again?»

Despite being undefeated and ranked higher than Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game, Washington was a 9.5-point underdog going into that one. The Huskies then went out and beat Oregon for the second time this season, clinching a 13-0 record and a spot 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 headed into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Monday night. It should also be noted that Washington beat Texas last year in the Alamo Bowl.

«I think it's crazy,» Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice said Friday during media availability. «Just the level of disrespect we get, I can't really understand it, but it helps us because it makes us have our backs against the wall as we go into these games, ready to play even harder because we are the underdogs. You don't take anything for granted out there. We're grateful to be in the position we're at because 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.»

When asked why he thought Washington continued to be treated like an underdog despite all the wins, Trice simply said, «I don't know. I couldn't tell you.»

There is one theory that Trice eventually said could account for the disrespect Washington feels: playing on the West Coast. The Pac-12 had a six-year playoff drought before Washington made it.

«It definitely 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 feeling because