The unbeaten and 7th-ranked Washington Huskies head on the road again for one final conference matchup in a state that historically has not been friendly to the Dawgs. Washington will head to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats who have continued to improve since Jed Fisch took over as the head of the program.
The Wildcats enter the matchup at 3-1 with wins over Northern Arizona, UTEP, and a one-point come-from-behind victory against Stanford. Their single loss of the year came at Mississippi State in a contest that Arizona would have won if Jayden de Laura hadn’t turned the ball over four times.
The week the question around the Wildcat program is health. Jayden de Laura left the game in Stanford in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and has been ruled out. Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch made comments about the quarterback situation but stressed that the game plan would not change regardless of who is behind the center.
Redshirt freshman Noah Fifita plays a very similar style as de Laura, especially his comfortability with the read-pass-option. Fifita is a dual threat in the backfield and completed all 4 of his passes and added nine yards on the ground in the fourth quarter to lead his team to the 21-20 win over Stanford.
The injury bug has hit this program hard as starting running back Michael Wiley, guard Raymond Pulido, linebacker Justin Flowe, and nickelback Martell Irby. It is unknown the availability of all players listed.
The Wildcats have two very good receiving options in Jacob Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan. Cowing was fantastic last year with the 4th most receiving yards in the conference just behind Jalen McMillan at 1,034 and 7 touchdowns.
The defense has continued to improve after being very poor in the last few years. Jacob Manu has an impressive story as he started his career as a scout team player now he leads the conference in tackles. The Cats can also get after the quarterback with their leading rusher Taylor Upshaw tallying 3.5 in four games.
The defense is talented but they are still breaking in some younger players and transfers. The prize of the recruiting class was Ephesians Prysock who was a 4-star corner and USC commit that flipped to Arizona late in the cycle. He has three passes defended in four games.
In this matchup with Arizona, the Huskies are more talented at every position group.
Arizona has yet to force an interception this season which doesn’t bode well against this passing attack. The young secondary will face their toughest test with multiple NFL skill position players scattered around on the Washington side of the field. Arizona has had success getting after the quarterback but has yet to see an offensive line that is as talented and physical as Washington’s.
Washington’s interior defensive line has made it very difficult to get a running game going between the tackles which means the Wildcats will have to heavily rely on the run/pass option game to try to move their athletes away from the middle. Washington’s linebacker play is at an elite level right now; the trio of Alphonso Tuputala, Edefuan Ulofoshio, and Carson Bruner have made the outside tackle tough as well.
Regardless of the quarterback the Huskies still have an advantage. In the two FBS matchups with year Jayden de Laura has not looked good and Washington’s secondary in much improved since the last time de Laura came to town.
Washington is a road favorite at -19 with a total point over/under at 65. Vegas has this as a 42-23 win for the Huskies.
Mueller’s Moneyline is that Washington’s offense continues to fire on all cylinders putting up 50+ points.
Mueller’s MoneylineThe final score being 54-20 Huskies.
Mueller’s Moneyline: Washington -19, Over 65.
