Watch Washington Football in the trenches game two

After a meh performance in the season opener, Washington Football team’s trenchwork needs to improve in week two

The Washington Football team returned a majority of their offense and defense from last season’s reigning Pac-12 champions. But in the contest versus the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, The team appeared flat footed, sluggish, and somewhat not themselves.

Of course, some of that is simply attributable to unfamiliar hotel beds, three time zones of difference, and butterflies from appearing on nationally televised football.

No excuses today

Yes, Azeem Victor will be back.  That fact alone will amp up the tempo and the passion of the Huskies.  Yes, the team will be back home.  That fact alone will amp up the team’s energy level.

But today’s performance  is a critical test for the team to flex it’s muscles  at the line of scrimmage.   On paper, it’s one of the best in the Pac-12, and the nation. On the field last week? Not so much.  Yes, defensive tackle Vita Vea dominated his Rutgers counterparts.   Yes, the Washington Huskies won that opener by a better than two touchdowns score. Unfortunately, many expected the Huskies to dominate. This week, the team needs to deliver on that expectation.

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• Huskies offense slices through the Spartans in 41-7 win

Montana Grizzlies are more dangerous than you think

Listen. It’s not like the days of old where running up the scores affected the eventual team rankings. Montana has a rather dangerous offense. The Montana Grizzlies are 1-0, after putting on a passing clinic last week. That offense can score points in bunches if Washington allows them to do so. Led by senior Reese Phillips, the Grizzlies put up 399 yards in the air and scored four touchdowns on their way to a 45-21 opening day victory.

If Montana can get into a groove in that passing game early, this will be a shootout that the Washington Football team may match up well in.

Browning has some room to grow too

While the optics on quarterback Jake Browning may not have suggested it, he had a cooly effective passing game himself in week one, tossing two touchdowns amidst his 284 yards passing.  Unfortunately, his week one completion rate was a mere 56.7 percent, but there were several plays with questionable defense and no penalties called.

Another contributor who will be unleashed this week is running back Myles Gaskin. After a surprisingly effective week as a receiver, he’ll look to churn up some major yards on the ground this week.

Next: Washington Football team shaken, and stirred, for game two

I expect things to go the Husky way this week.  Months ago, I chalked up this week as the first breakout game for the Huskies, and I stand by my expectation of a 48-17 home victory.  The game will not be as close as the score, as I expect Coach Petersen to begin rotating players into play when the game feels in hand.

But it hinges on the line of scrimmage. Look for an impressive week on both sides of the ball today, Huskies fans.