This is one of the Huskies biggest game’s left. Utah is ranked at 13th in the CFP Poll, making them 3rd in the Pac-12. The Utes got a big win against USC and have proved to be a dangerous team no matter who they face. The Huskies will be challenged with taking on this top defense in front of a sold out crowd at Husky Stadium.

Winning the Air War:  A week ago the Washington Huskies put 52 points on the scoreboard against the USC Trojans.  This well the task is very different having one of the best defense’s in the nation in 2023–the Utah Utes.

Either way, on the ground out through the air, the Utes are one of college football’s best defenses.

Utah has held each team they faced to less than 100 yards rushing per game this season.  After Dillon Johnson’s monster performance in Los Angeles last Saturday, the Utes will be locked into stopping him. That means it’s time for Michael Penix to shine.

With his stockpile of weapons, the Heisman favorite will be looking to take advantage if Utah focuses on stopping Johnson. Penix’s job becomes very easy if Johnson looks like he did last week, but if they are able to keep him under control then it could be a necessity for another Heisman moment. Utah’s defense is going to test the Huskies who are only a week removed from paying one of the country’s worst.

Stopping the Run: While Bryson Barnes has gotten his share of media attention this year, Utah’s pass attack has been average. The Utes have leaned heavily on the run game to bruise through teams and play physical football.

The Huskies have allowed more rushing yards than they would like to in recent games. Taking away the multifaceted Utah backfield starts with slowing Ja’Quinden Jackson.

It’s won’t  be an easy task, but if the interior defense is able to force the ball into the air it should be a big day for the secondary. Stopping the run should be priority one. If that happens then the pass rush can get to work, and this secondary can add to their turnover total.

Husky Faithful Helping Out: The stadium will be packed at 12:30. Husky faithful made sure that the Utes will be faced with a sell-out crowd in Seattle.

With the fans out in full force the defensive line will be getting after it. With Bralen Trice consistently leading the FBS in QB pressures, and both Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Voi Tunnufi finding rhythm this would be the perfect game for them to reall start wrecking things. If they get the Ute’s behind the sticks early then it could be a big day for the entire defense. In passing situations the pressure needs to be there.

The crowd will be doing their part, the D-Line has shown that they are capable of doing there’s. Utah has a good line, but the Huskies could wreck that.

Line of Scrimmage: Any stat that has to do with the lineman, Utah is strong in. That includes getting after the QB and stopping the run. The Huskies offensive line will have a big responsibility in giving both Penix and Johnson time and space to operate.

With the group looking settled in their is no excuse for the Huskies to lose this battle. The OL is going to be a huge factor in the ceiling of this team. We’ve seen games in which they have been lights out, and games where they have looked lost.

Utah is going to give them everything they can handle. If the can hold the Utes off, they can hold anyone. If the Huskies win the line of scrimmage it could be a long day for the visitors.

Finding then Exploiting Mismatches: This isn’t saying that Utah has any obvious holes—the Utes’ defense has been top tier all season. But the Huskies have a reciever group that can make any secondary look silly.

Rome Odunze has been recieving his fair share of attention and despite that still putting up numbers. With no Jalen McMillan as of recent it has been Ja’Lynn Polk that has stepped up and played out of his mind.

Polk has looked like a WR-1b to Odunze’s WT-1a. With status questionable for McMillan, Germie Bernard, and Giles Jackson Penix will have to use his two stars to make plays.

And don’t forget the tight ends. Westover and Culp have made big plays whenever Grubb has called their number this season—and Josh Cuevas is entering the mix as more than just a blocking TE.

However, Quentin More has done a ton of dirty work ALL SEASON LONG.  He’ll be leaned on heavily in the run game again against the Utes.  Could there be an opportunity to reward him with a big opportunity?