California (1-0) at #14 Washington (1-0)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Line: Washington -13.5
TV: FS1 Radio: KOMO 1000
The No. 14 ranked Washington Huskies will have revenge on their minds when California visits Husky Stadium Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. In last year’s meeting, UW lost 12-10 despite California not scoring an offensive touchdown. The Golden Bears’ only touchdown came in the third quarter as UW QB Jake Haener threw a pick-six to Cal linebacker Evan Weaver. Petersen made the controversial call to replace starter Jake Browning with Jake Haener despite leading in the third quarter. Washington’s offense would finish with just 250 total yards. It was the only game of the 2018 season where UW was held under 100 yards rushing.
But this UW offense looks to be a little more explosive. Georgia transfer QB Jacob Eason, passed for 349 yards and four touchdowns in UW’s 47-14 win over Eastern Washington last Saturday. Eason had Husky fans buzzing with all the NFL throws he was making on the shores of Montlake.
However, Washington will face a much tougher defense this Saturday night. California under head coach Justin Wilcox has turned this program into a defensive minded team. When taking over as head coach in 2017, California gave up 42.6 points per game in Sunny Dikes’ last year. In Wilcox’s first year, Cal’s defense improved to 28.4 points per game. Last year, Cal’s defense was down to 20.4 points per game. This year the Golden Bears bring in one of the top secondaries in the country and another stout defense under the former UW defensive coordinator.
California should have been much better than their 7-6 2018 record but their offense couldn’t help out the defense. California’s offense averaged just 21.5 points per game a season ago. To make matters worse, Cal’s quarterbacks threw a combined 20 interceptions. In last week’s home opening 27-13 win over UC Davis, the Golden Bears had four turnovers. If California wants to be better on offense this year quarterback Chase Garbers and company must protect the ball.
Washington’s defense lost nine starters from a season ago but for the most part looked good in their victory over Eastern Washington. UW did allow a 64-yard TD in the win. The Huskies stout defense allowed just one play of 40-plus yards in 2018. The jury is still out for this UW defense but they do look to be once again one of the better units in the country.
Key to the game
Turnover Battle
In a game where the over/under is set at 44.5 points you know the turnover battle is huge. Washington was 4-0 last year when winning the turnover battle. California was 5-0 when winning the turnover battle. In last year’s matchup, California was plus two in that category. Protecting the football is a must in this game with two of the best defenses in the conference – if not the country.
Stop Cal’s rushing attack
Washington must shutdown Cal’s run game. In last week’s 27-13 win over UC Davis, Cal RB Christopher Brown Jr., rushed for 197 yards a TD. If UW can stop Brown, they leave it in the hands of quarterback Chase Garbers who had a 14-10 TD/INT ratio and is missing his top four pass catchers from 2018.
Huskies must win up front
Assuming starting center Nick Harris plays this week, (who was banged up in the season-opener) UW has a veteran offensive line that should be one of the better group’s in the country. UW should be able to go over the 91 yards rushing they put up a season ago in Berkeley. Expect Salvon Ahmed and Richard Newton to get plenty of carries to try and soften up a good California defense. If UW gets the running game going early it will make things much easier on QB Jacob Eason – going against a top secondary in the country.
Prediction
The Huskies will look for revenge after their 12-10 defeat at California last year. Washington was held to just 91 yards rushing in last year’s contest (a season low). But this might be a much improve offense led by Georgia transfer starting QB Jacob Eason. In UW’s 47-14 win over Eastern Washington last week, Eason passed for 349 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, California struggled in their 27-13 season opening win over UC Davis. California was plagued by the turnover bug last year despite having a great defense. Last week, Cal had four turnovers in the win. Revenge is in line here for the Huskies as they put their 15-game home winning streak on the line. I’m going against many experts on this one as I actually have the Huskies winning convincingly.
Washington 27 California 10
