Aug 31, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) celebrates with Washington Huskies running back Bishop Sankey (25) after Sankey ran the ball in for a touchdown against the Boise State Broncos during the 2nd half at Husky Stadium. Washington defeated Boise State 38-6. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
I’m going to start doing these at least twice a week. I’ll throw out a question or a discussion topic and most or all of the members of the Husky Haul staff will give their opinion. This week we discuss: Is UW receiving too much hype based on the single season-opening 38-6 win over Boise State?
Paul Somerstein
Nope. When was the last time UW beat up a team that thoroughly? WSU and Cal at the end of 2009? I don’t care that it isn’t Peterson’s best team, or that it was special circumstances because of the opening of new Husky Stadium – we beat them up in every phase of the game, and no Husky team in the better part of a decade has done that. The real test will be if we can do it against a bad Illinois team on the road. If they go in and throttle the Illini, we’re in for somethings special here.
Erik Erickson
Unfortunately, I have to say that the Huskies are receiving a little too much hype after their blowout win against Boise State. While the Huskies did show they are an improved team, I still think they might not be good enough to break through in an extremely tough Pac-12 conference. Stanford, Oregon, Arizona State, and UCLA are all potentially top 20 teams and UW will face off against all 4 teams in 2013. This is easily the best team of the Sarkisian era, UW has way more talent at skill positions, more depth on both offense and defense, and won’t be a cake walk for any team, but I don’t see them winning 10 games this season. Boise State returned only 12 starters from last season, and while they are well coached, I don’t think they have the talent of a top-25 team. While their schedule will help them finish the season with a top-25 record, it was apparent that Boise State doesn’t have the playmakers to hang with top level teams. Now, if UW starts out the season 4-0, and is able to split the Stanford-Oregon games, then the Huskies will be deserving of any hype they receive. Lets hope that my answer is wrong and the Huskies are deserving of all the hype!
Eric Nelson
I don’t believe the Huskies are receiving too much hype surrounding the Boise State win. Obviously, we had an advantage in Husky Stadium and Boise State is not as good as they have been in years past. However, you must look at how Washington played. Price played extremely well, the O-Line dominated and looked vastly improved, the receiving depth is clearly very good possibly best in the Pac-12, and Bishop Sankey was as good as expected, with good depth behind him. On defense the linebackers played as well as expected, the D-line did okay, not great, but not too bad, and the DB’s were dominant: 175 passing yards, no twenty yard plus passes. They not only dominated the Broncos in a 32 point victory, they played like a team ready to compete for a conference championship.
Evan Webeck
Seeing as the Huskies received two top-four votes from USA Today writers in their Playoff Projection, yes they are overrated. Being ranked 20th in the country, getting national attention? No, that’s not overrated. That’s how they should have been perceived before beating Boise State. Obviously, it’s still to be determined how the defense performs against speedy, spread offenses and how the offense changes once Austin Seferian-Jenkins returns, but beating a perennial BCS contender, 38-6, shines light on the talent that the Huskies have. If Boise State turns out to be in a rebuilding season and the 38-6 win is an enigma, I’ll be surprised. For now, enjoy the hype and attention, but don’t let it affect your view on the season.
Jesse Kennemer
I’m with Evan on this one. Certain people are definitely giving the Huskies too much credit for a single win, but I think that the AP poll has it just right by slotting Washington at #20. But we do not know nearly enough about any team, UW, Boise State, Stanford, or Oregon, to start projecting them to go to the Rose Bowl or anything of that magnitude. For one, there is no reasonable argument for Washington over Stanford or Oregon. Not to mention the fact that Boise State could be experiencing a majorly down year and/or Washington could come out flat next week in Chicago. The Huskies have done enough for the #20 spot, but it’s time to wait and see before giving the Huskies any more credit. Anyone who violates that advice is, in my opinion, over hyping the Huskies.