Here’s a few tidbits of what we feel the Huskies need to do to be victorious Saturday night when they host Arizona State. The Sun Devils are coming off a loss on the road to San Diego State.
Arizona State is facing several issues after that game, and Washington be able to exploit those issues due to the strength of playing at Husky Stadium and the fact that they have some payback on their minds after last year’s debacle in the desert.
OFFENSE
Mush!
Run, run, run, and run some more. Commit to the run — Coach Petersen loves to be balanced and tries to have his offense go 50/50, but not this game. Washington needs to just pound away at these guys (with some passing) but dictate that tempo and, in turn, dictate the game. Wear ASU down to where they’re sucking wind with their hands on their hips by the fourth quarter. Also, as we said last week in our keys to the game against Utah, Washington needs to have Gaskin run to the right side. With Jaxsen Kirkland, Kaleb McGary, and a tight end there — that right side is a strength.
Protect Jake Browning
Pick up those blitzes. When passing the ball the offensive line needs to be better here than they were against Utah, and Browning has to do a better job of recognizing the blitzes and getting the ball thrown — use the middle of the field more.
Make ASU pay when they blitz
If Jake Browning can hit a hot receiver and make ASU pay for those blitzes, then it will take pressure off the passing game. Find those 5-yard crossing routes and quick passes to the tight end or running backs. Let the playmakers get into the open field and make plays.
DEFENSE
Make Manny Wilkins Uncomfortable
Use sophisticated blitz pacakges that ASU hasn’t seen on film yet (I’m sure UW has a few no one has seen yet). Also, the same thing they did against Tyler Huntley last week; keep him in the pocket. This would work on Wilkins, and force him to be a one-dimesional quarterback (possibly put a spy on him). The biggest play for Utah last weekend was when Huntley got out of the pocket and broke containment — Washington needs to keep containment this weekend against ASU.
Rotate
More Ariel Ngata, please. Would love to see more Joe Tryon and Amandre Williams. The more reps they get the better they are and it also gets more athleticism on the field.
Don’t Lose Leverage
Also, the defensive ends must not lose leverage and, again, keep Wilkins inside the pocket and not past the defensive ends (make him run up the middle).
