#9 Utah (7-1) at Washington (5-3)
1 p.m.
Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Line: Utah -3
TV: FOX Radio: KOMO 1000
The Washington Huskies find themselves in a unique situation. After a close loss to the Oregon Ducks, UW is coming off a bye, unranked, with three losses through eight games. Washington is all but eliminated from a conference championship and a New Years Six bowl game. But with still four regular season games, there’s still a lot to play for. And things don’t get any easier with the No. 9 ranked Utah Utes coming to town.
”Big challenge,” Chris Petersen about facing a tough Utes team.”This team is probably, you know certainty playing as well as anybody around.”
The Utes bring to Seattle one of the top defenses in all of college football. There’s no better example than last week when Utah shutout California, 35-0. The Utes held California to just 83 total yards. Utah might just have the best defensive line in college football and the stats are there to back it up. Utah’s defense ranks No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense – allowing just 59.6 yards per game. To give you a better idea of how good they are at stopping the run – the next closest team (San Diego State) allows 75.0 yards per game. Utah also ranks No. 3 in total defense and No. 4 in scoring defense – allowing 10.3 points per game. It really doesn’t matter what stat you look at, Utah’s defense is dominant and there is no other way to describe this unit.
On the other side of the ball the Utes have been solid. Utah’s 33.1 points per game ranks No. 37 in the nation. What’s most impressive about Utah’s offense is their efficiency. The Utes average 6.5 yards per play – ranks No. 16 in the country. A big reason for that is running back Zack Moss. The 5-foot-10, 222-pound senior has rushed for 728 yards and 10 touchdowns. In Utah’s only loss to USC, Moss came out of the game early with an injury. There’s no denying that Utah’s offense starts with Moss.
The Huskies know if they want to win this game they will have to slow down Moss. Washington’s defense has been inconsistent this year and in all three losses they have been worn down and had problems stopping the run. UW’s defense ranks No. 51 in the nation in rushing defense – allowing 147.6 yards rushing per game. Overall, Washington’s defense has still been solid, allowing 21.5 points per game. But they haven’t been near as good as they have over the last few seasons and their record shows that.
Washington’s offense is up to No. 28 in the nation in scoring offense – averaging 35.8 points per game. But in their three losses, UW is averaging just 21 points per game. The key word for this offense is consistency. Something they have lacked all year. And there’s no better example than in their last game against Oregon. Washington’s offense scored 28 points in the first 32 minutes. In the final 28 minutes, UW scored just three points.
For the Huskies to be successful, they must protect quarterback Jacob Eason. The 6-foot-6 junior has been very good this season and keeps climbing up mock NFL draft boards. Eason has passed for 1,981 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. If the Huskies can protect Eason, they will have chances to be successful throwing the ball down the field. If there’s any weakness on Utah’s defense it’s the secondary.
Prediction
At this point of the season, all the pressure is one Utah. They are in contention for the College Football Playoff and chasing USC in the South Division. This game has a feel to it that it can go either way. Washington has owned the Utes in the past. At Washington, Chris Petersen is 4-1 against Kyle Whittingham and Utah – with a current 4-game win streak. If Utah is ever going to beat Washington again, this seems like the year it will happen. And I think it does happen. Washington will be in it the whole game but I’m not sure the bye week is enough to fix their inconsistencies. Utah’s offense despite quarterback Tyler Huntley being banged up a little will do just enough to get past the Huskies.
Utah 28 Washington 21
