Scouting Washington Football opponent: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Each week, the Husky Haul will take an advance look at the upcoming opponent on the gridiron. In week one, that means our attention is turned toward the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

It’s 2017. That means its a news season, with new beginnings. Forget the past, from the opening kickoff on Friday night, none of that matters. The time is right now. All eyes are focused on that first game. In preparation for the contest, the Washington Football team has released it’s depth chart for the season opener:

Will Huskies miss Victor and Joyner?

But that is a discussion for tomorrow. We already know that two players will not be making the trip with the team, linebackers Azeem Victor and Austin Joyner.

For now, we know who we are, but who are our opponents, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights?

Great football stadium

Well, for starters, the Rutger’s Scarlet Knights play in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  And that stadium made the top 30 list for college football fans to have on the “must see” list per Sports Illustrated.

But Rutgers is more than a great spot on the NCAA football map of historic sites. This is a young hungry team hoping to turn things around this season.  In fact, we hammered that point home in an earlier assessment of this game.

Last season, the Huskies faced the Scarlet Knights in Seattle. Now, the time zone factor will work against the Huskies. Will it play an important role in the outcome?

Washington pass defense will be tested early and often

The hope of the Scarlet Knights is to enter the game with an underdog’s attitude. That means, they will open up with a passing attack, hoping to confuse the new Husky defensive backs with an all out aerial assault.

That means senior WR Jenarion Grant will be an early target.  To do so, quarterback Jonathon Lewis must avoid pressure.

That is no small task when facing these Washington Huskies, even without Azeem Victor.

But the Scarlet Knights are not all “Hail Mary!” offense.  In fact, if they find early passing success, that will open up the trenches for running lanes.  The Washington defense needs to set a very physical tone early in this matchup.

Washington offense will control ball

College football openers mean emotion upon emotions. In the stands, on the field, and in the hearts. Let’s face it, everyone will be excited to have football back. But this is not the game to push the envelope on the offense early. That Rutger’s defense will be running on pure emotion for the first 15 minutes of the game.

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That means the Washington football team must gear down and play ball control offense initially.  Thankfully, that means healthy doses of running back Myles Gaskin, but there are more ball carriers on this team.

This is a game the Washington Huskies should win hands down.  But there are three variables which will be an excellent test for this football team:

Three important factors of game one

I. The game is played in a hostile stadium in the eastern time zone. That throws off everyones internal clock, and will force the team to rely upon their training and discipline.
II. The game is a “should win” contest, which will test the team’s ability to play as the favorite on the road.
III. This game will test the Washington football team fundamentals. Any early mistakes opens the door for Rutgers. The Huskies will need to play mistake free to attain and keep an early lead.

Look for roster rotations if Huskies gain early lead

If the Huskies gain a double digit lead before the half, look for some carries out of true freshman running back Salvon Ahmed.  That is what I am truly hoping for, just to get a look at how Ahmed carries the ball in his first few carries.

I predicted this final score will be a huge offensive game for the Washington Huskies. In fact, I called this Washington 42 Rutgers 21. With the recent news of two suspended players on defense, I like the score where it is.

Good test, and good first impression

This is a good early test for the Washington Football team. Coast to coast is a very difficult trek , and that means the night before the game lights out happens three hours sooner than the athletes are used to. But the upside is that this game is played on the east coast, where many college football fans will have their one and only chance to see the Washington Huskies play all season.

Win well, and the impression of this game will carry the team all season in polls and rankings. Win ugly, or outright lose, and that first impression will be awfully hard to shake.  The stage is set. Now it’s up to the team to show up in a big way.