NEW ORLEANS — Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu has heard all the snide remarks about West Coast football and how those pass-heavy offenses in the Pac-12 are not tough enough to win a national championship.
“We’re kind of used to slander,” Fautanu said.
The Huskies’ biggest dawgs allowed only 11 sacks this season, paving the way for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to become a Heisman Trophy finalist and for No. 2 Washington (13-0) to reach the College Football Playoff — all while earning the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in the country.
If there are still questions about the Huskies’ line, Fautanu has a suggestion: “Turn on the tape.”
In the Sugar Bowl semifinal on Monday night, Fautanu and Co. will get a chance to prove they’re tougher than No. 3 Texas (12-1) and a defensive line anchored by maybe the best set of tackles in the country in All-American T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, a second-team selection.