The Husky Haul
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College Football Playoff: Washington can upset Alabama if they do these 5 things

By Michael Collins

December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi /
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Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Kevin King (20) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver N
Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Kevin King (20) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver N /

Win the Special Teams and Turnover Battles

Two keys in any game like this are special teams and turnovers, and the Huskies need to win both.

Alabama has allowed some big kickoff and punt returns this season, giving up an average of 21.56 yards per kickoff return (eight for 30 or more yards), and 12.5 yards per punt return (two for over 40 or more yards). If the Washington returners can give Browning and the offense a short field, it will keep things interesting.

The Huskies also need to do what they’ve been best in the nation at all season, and that’s taking the ball away. Their 33 total takeaways and 1.62 turnovers per game lead the FBS, and that could be an equalizer against an Alabama team who has lost the ball 19 times this season.

The Washington secondary could be a huge factor in this game. If the defense controls Hurts and keeps him from running wild, he could be forced into some bad throws into disguised coverage.

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