At 12:30 the Washington Huskies play the Ohio State Buckeyes–thee number 1 team in the country. For the Huskies to come out on top, UW will need to execute at a high level all across the board. However, here are three areas where Washington will need to excel for them to have a chance to take down Number 1:
Run the Ball
The Jonah Coleman Doak Walker campaign is already rolling, but a signature performance against Ohio State could propel his name into Heisman conversation. In three games Coleman has totaled 497 scrimmage yards and a nation leading 10 touchdowns.
Coleman’s aggressive running style, paired with the always electric scrambling abilities of Demond Williams gives the Huskies one of the nation’s best rushing attacks.
While Ohio State’s defense is formidable, their ability to stop the run is not their strength, in fact, it might be considered a weakness. While the 41st ranked rushing defense doesn’t sound bad, matchup’s with Grambling State and Ohio have mitigated the 166 rushing yards that Texas put on the Buckeyes.
However, the pass rush is an Ohio State strength, and QB protection has been undoubtedly shaky for the Huskies. High pressure rates from the Buckeyes could be a nail in the coffin for Washington, but could also allow Demond Williams to show off his athleticism and break off big plays scrambling to punish Ohio State.
The dynamism of Coleman and Williams will likely be the Huskies lifeline as they look to continue their home streak and upset the #1 team in the country.
Win the War For the Skies
There is an argument to be made that the two best players in the country play for Ohio State. Jeremiah Smith (WR) and Caleb Downs (S) are not only the faces of Ohio State football, but also college football.
When Ohio State has the ball Jeremiah Smith is not alone. Carnell Tate is close behind Smith in production with the two combining for 534 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Huskies have struggled in pass defense against inferior opponents and with the amount of man coverage we have seen called by Husky DC Ryan Walters, Washington’s ability to slow down the Buckeyes may be entirely in the hands of Tacario Davis and Ephesians Prysock.
On the flip side of things Denzel Boston has looked to be one of the best jump-ball threats in the country through three games, but this Ohio State defense has shut down opposing passing attacks.
While it’s hard to imagine Boston won’t have his fingerprints on this game, an impact performance will be needed from the likes of Omari Evans or Rashid Williams to truly keep this offense rolling.
Make Them See Purple
It’s been almost four years since a team came into Husky stadium and won a football game. While a #1 hasn’t visited Huskies stadium in a while (2007), five top-25 opponents and three in the top-11 have entered Husky stadium since the 22-game win streak began.
This will be Ohio State’s first trip outside of Columbus this season, and more importantly, the first CFB road game for Buckeye quarterback Julian Sayin.
With the game kicking off at 12:30pm pacific time it will be an early start after a long trip for the Buckeyes. Big 10 teams struggled mightily on early season road trips last year and Washington will be hoping that effect helps them out today.
While Sayin has looked excellent, the Buckeyes offense has not been everything it was hoped to be this year. While it is still early, red zone struggles have left points off the board for Ohio State.
Stealing possession from the Buckeyes will be the key component to an upset. Whether that be forcing mistakes by a young Julian Sayin, or forcing miscues on red zone trips, the hostility of Husky stadium will need to be a real factor to take down the defending national champs.
