A little more than 48 hours from now we are going to FINALLY get our first look at Chris Petersen’s Washington Huskies. It’s been an agonizing wait – we’ve gone through Sark bolting, the anticipation of the Petersen hiring, the Super Bowl Incident, uncertainty in Spring Practice, and uncertainty in Fall Camp. We’ve made the long difficult climb back to football, and we’ve done it together. Nice work, everybody.
With the Dawgs on their way Hawaii, the big question remains; What the hell are these guys going to look like on Saturday night? We’re breaking in a new quarterback who has yet to throw a pass in a collegiate atmosphere. We are replacing a running back who put together the greatest statistical season in UW history with a group of four talented but unproven backs. Kasen Williams, the #1 receiver from a year ago is not starting (granted he’s recovering from a gruesome leg injury) and is being replaced by a guy (DiAndre Campbell) that was Suddenly Seniored by the Sarkisian regime.
The one constant is the front seven on the defensive side of the ball. It’s a good thing, because the secondary is going to feature three new starters including Budda Baker, a true freshman.
With all of the new faces and new schemes that are in place, we really have no idea what this team is going to look like. Thankfully, once again I am here to tell you. Go back and look at old tapes of Boise State teams – the Kellen Moore years or even before that to the Jared Zabransky Fiesta Bowl team. Those teams, coached by Chris Petersen, played to the strengths of their players, and above all else, executed. Was the 2007 Boise State team more talented than Oklahoma? Nope, not in any way shape or form. They did however make one more play, execute one more perfect play than Oklahoma did, and they shocked the world.
The strength of this Husky team is their defensive front and the explosive athletes that they have on offense. Chris Petersen knows that, and he’s going to have a plan in place to utilize those strengths. Establish the running game immediately – a steady dose of Dwayne Washington and Lavon Coleman on the opening drive. John Ross and Jaydon Mickens are going to get the ball in space with opportunities to make plays. Jeff Lindquist’s reads will be basic and simple – short and quick throws, no mistakes. The defense will put pressure on Hawaii’s passing game and try to stuff the run (which might not be such an easy task, their starting RB is a bowling ball).
The Dawgs will simply wear down Hawaii. Too much talent and athleticism. Nothing flashy, just straight ahead football. There is no need for Pete to dip into his bag of tricks or show the whole play book this week. It’s a chance to see what his players can do in his system and build a foundation for when Eastern Washington (FCS or not, they will be the toughest non-conference game UW plays this year) comes to Seattle on September 6th.
I’m calling it 45-17, Dawgs.
Bow down and go Dawgs.