#11 WASHINGTON (3-1) vs #20 BYU (3-1)
TODAY, 5:30 PM
HUSKY STADIUM
TV: FOX
RADIO: n KOMO AM 1000 and FM 97.7
LINE: UW -17
The Huskies face their third out-of-conference opponent today, hosting the BYU Cougars at Husky Stadium. BYU, who’s ranked #20 in the country, is 4-5 against the Huskies.
Washington ranked #11 nationally, won the last time they played the Cougars (2013) in the Fight Hunger Bowl.
The Huskies and Cougars are both 3-1 for the season; with the Huskies’ only loss to non-conference, SEC opponent Auburn — and BYU’s only loss to Pac-12 North opponent, California.
BYU’s most notable win was on the road against Wisconsin when the Badgers were ranked #5 in the country.
As we said in our Keys to the Game article , Washington needs to keep the game uptempo and use their speed and athleticism to overcome the more sludgy-pace the Cougars play.
OFFENSE
On offense, the Huskies will need to pay close attention to tailback Squally Canada. Aside from having one of the coolest names in college football today, Canada has rushed for 322 yards and five touchdowns for the season.
The Cougar running game accounts for just over half of their first-downs for the season, and they average 156.5 rushing yards per game.
Quarterback Tanner Mangum has thrown just three touchdown passes for the season, and is averaging around 153 passing yards per-game.
Overall, the Cougar offense isn’t stellar by any reach of the imagination, but they are stout and throw a lot of looks at defenses, “This offense is something we haven’t seen and won’t see again in terms of other’s shifts and motions and fly-sweep action”, Chris Petersen said this week, “It’s extremely unique…a little bit like option football in terms of really making you play assignment-sound.; you have to do your job before you can chase the ball.”
DEFENSE
Defensively, BYU’s leading tackler is linebacker, Zayne Anderson (28 tackles for the season, one pick), and 6-9 senior d-tackle, Corbin Kaufusi leads the team right now with three sacks.
“They play it tight, they play it in front of you”, Petersen said of BYU’s defense, “They’re going to keep things in front.”
Where BYU is questionable is in their secondary. Cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford said BYU’s corners have been “average” this season, citing the early pass interference penalties and a few missed assignments.
All in all, this could be a big win for the Huskies against a very stout and hungry BYU team.
Quotable
On Ty Jones, who’s from Utah, BYU head coach, Kalani Sitake said: “We had a great opportunity in recruiting him, and I thought we were close [to getting him]…We wish him the best of luck in every game but the one this Saturday.”
Predictions
Ruth Robbins: UW 26 BYU 10
Kyle Waltos: UW 35 BYU 14
