With the Huskies heading into Utah on Saturday, here’s a quick look at what they need to do in order to beat the Utes on their home turf, and win their Pac-12 opener.
Contain Tyler Huntley
The Huskies need to keep him in the pocket and put a spy on him, if needed. Last year he ran the ball over 20 times against the Huskies and so keeping him the pocket and making him throw the ball is key. He has a good arm, but isn’t consistent on the deep ball. The bottom line is to make him a one-dimensional quarterback.
Avoid Turnovers
Jake Browning needs to eat the ball instead of throwing into double-coverage. And the tailbacks need to hold on to the ball because Utah is known for stripping the ball away from running backs. It sounds simple, but in a live game it isn’t as simple.
Run the Ball
The Husky OL needs to block better, but the Huskies tailbacks need to run with more authority — these two things go hand-in-hand. Don’t give up on the run game early, no matter what (even if Utah is stuffing it). Washington needs to keep pounding and pounding and pounding away with the run game.
Match the Emotion of Utah
This is not easy. This is a blackout game and their fans will be hyped and off-the-chain. What cost Washington in the Auburn game was letting Auburn get up early and get the crowd wound up. Those first 10 minutes are critical. Utah, despite being 1-12 to Washington overall, is 8-2 in blackout games.
Special Teams
Washington probably won’t win the kicking game, but they need to be close. Granted, Utah’s own kicking game has been a disaster the first two games but they have the tools to be steller on any given Saturday. It’s not just kicking either, the coverage needs to be on point in every facet.
No Browning Mistakes
The offensive line needs to give him time. Utah will try to force him into making mistakes, so the o-line needs to protect him (and he needs to get rid of the ball after two and a-half second and no longer). Browning needs to settle down and let the game come to him. He doesn’t need to press and let his teammates help him out. If it’s not there, tuck and run and if it isn’t, lay down. If he can just sling it and not think too much he can have a lot of success.
