Opponent Preview: Washington
At a Glance
Oregon State at Washington
When: TBA Saturday, Oct. 22
Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington
TV/Radio: TBD/Beaver Sports Radio Network
Series history: Washington leads 62-34
Last meeting: A 28-point first quarter outburst propelled UW to a 52-7 rout of the Beavers at Reser, who didn’t score until the final quarter. Freshman Jake Browning completed 18 of 20 passes and threw four TDs to lead the Huskies. Victor Bolden recorded OSU’s lone score, hauling in a 24-yard TD pass from Marcus McMaryion with 5:30 left in the game.
2015 in Review
Record: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Pac-12 (4-3 home, 2-3 away, 1-0 neutral)
Bowl game: Defeated Southern Miss, 44-31, in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Notable games: Lost to Boise State, 16-13, in opener; defeated USC, 17-12, in Memorial Coliseum; lost to UO, 26-20, at home; beat Arizona, 49-3, at home; routed WSU in the Apple Cup at home, 45-10.
Quick numbers
Points per game: 30.6, Opponents: 18.8.7; Rushing yards per game: 163.8, Opponents: 125.3; Passing yards per game: 239.2, Opponents: 226.5; Time of possession: 30:00, Opponents: 30:00; Red-zone scoring percentage: 83 percent, Opponents: 79 percent.
Top performers
Passing: Jake Browning (2,955, 16 TDs, 10 INT, 63.3 percent completion rate); Rushing: Myles Gaskin (1,302 yards, 14 TDs, 5.7 YPC); Receiving: Jaydon Mickens (58 catches, 692 yards, 2 TDs); Tackles: Azeem Victor (90 tackles, 9 for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT).
Key losses
Dwayne Washington (282 yards, 4 TDs, 6.0 YPC); Mickens; Josh Perkins (36 catches, 539 yards, 3 TDs); Cory Littleton (65 tackles, 11 for loss, 6 sacks); Travis Feeny (56 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 8 sacks); Brian Clay (65 tackles).
Oct. 22 Outlook
Key returners
Browning (Soph.); Gaskin (Soph.); Dante Pettis (JR. WR): 30 catches, 414 yards, 1 TD; Victor; Keishawn Bierria (JR. LB): 77 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks); Budda Baker (JR. DB): 49 tackles, 2 INTs, 7 pass breakups.
Key strength
The Huskies are a balanced sqaud, returning both experience and talent on offense (Gaskin, Browning) and defense (Victor, Bierria, Baker) — which bodes well in the deep Pac-12 North. While UW might have the top defense in the conference, their offense could take off this season under Browning who will have another year with OC Jonathan Smith. If that happens, it could be a big year for the Huskies.
Key question
If UW has a weakness, it’s who will emerge as Browning’s top target this season, after the departure of Mickens and Perkins? The easy answer would be John Ross, who missed all of last season due to injury. After spending the 2014 season at DB due to depth, he’s back at receiver this year. But is he ready? When healthy, he’s arguably the speediest WR in the Pac-12.
Raju’s Take
Stanford may have been the media’s pick to win the Pac-12 North, but I think the Huskies will emerge at the top when all is said and done — of the entire Pac-12. Chris Petersen is building something special and the Huskies are no longer sleeping giants. They could become the jewel of the Northwest teams as early as this season, due to their balance.
On the road for this one, the Beavers will have their work cut out for them. First and foremost, they will need to contain Gaskin, who averaged 5.5 yards a carry last time they faced him. If they can take away half of UW’s offensive attack, it would bolster their chances for the upset. They also will need to force a couple turnovers along the way, because I don’t think they will be able to completely shut down the Huskies.
Unfortunately, points could be hard to come by for the Beavers. They should try to take some shots down the field though, as they will likely need to put up points in a hurry if they fall behind like they did last season. After this game, the schedule is brutal and win or lose, the Beavers need a strong performance against the Huskies to carry into that late season stretch.