The Washington Football team presses on for win number seven at the expense of the Arizona State Sun Devils. Head Coach Petersen knows that this is a weekend for upsets. Will UW be next? Not off the heels of the cupcake game
The Washington Football team continues their climb to the NCAA playoffs, this time the team travels to the unfriendly heat of the Arizona desert to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. This began, in my mind, as a huge trap game.
But ESPN’s cupcake coverage and nationally televised attempt to discredit both the Huskies team and head coach last week was actually well timed. I mean, how can the Washington Football team come out flat and uninspired after the broadcast booth called them “soft” and their head coach “irascible and cantankerous” just one week ago? Now, the team is aiming at a statement game before a well deserved bye week.
And they defeated Arizona State in Seattle Washington last season.
Key Washington Playmakers
Which Washington player has not made the national media? Practically all of them. Quarterback Jake Browning extends his consecutive touchdown streak each game, now at 20. But the headlines miss that fact. Wide receiver Dante Pettis needs one more touchdown as a punt returner to break a long standing NCAA record, but that was only a story when he had three TD runs in his first three games. This Washington defense is as good as it gets in the NCAA, but nobody seems to notice.
Arizona State punt coverage is the worst in the Pac-12. Dante Pettis is the best in the active NCAA at returning punts. Hold this thought…
Myles Gaskin has been running very well recently. Arizona State is not strong against the run.
We have yet to see freshman running back Salvon Ahmed have a break out game. Last week, Coach Petersen unleashed freshman tight end Hunter Bryant. Is this Ahmed’s week?
And finally, Lavon Coleman and Will Dissly are both very good offensive talents. Do they have a significant role to play?
Keys to the game for Arizona State
Arizona State is not intimidated as they face Washington. In fact, they only JUST ended a ten game winning streak against the Huskies last season.They defeated a very good Oregon team earlier in the season, and would love to repeat with another victory over a nationally ranked team.
Arizona State has some serious beef up front, and are only one of two schools (Ohio State is the other) with three down linemen with over ten quarterback pressures (Alani Latu 13, Jojo Wicker 12, Tashon Smallwood 12). One key for Arizona State is to pin Washington on third and long and pin their ears back rushing Washington quarterback Browning.
On offense, Arizona State can certainly move the ball through the air. They are the third best passing offense in the Pac-12, the conference with so many outstanding quarterback prospects. They do not key in on one receiver. In fact, the Sun Devils have had five DIFFERENT receivers catch over 100 yards in a game at one point this season. They will need all receivers to step up and play lights out today
Keys to the game for Washington
Washington knows the Arizona State strengths already. As such, they know Arizona State’s weaknesses too. The Sun Devils will give up points. Lots of points. They allow 36.4 points a game. Washington averages 43.0 points a game. This should be fun.
But Arizona State will try to set Washington up to take advantage of their pass rush. Washington can counter by passing on running downs (first and second downs) and running draws or quick bursts.
Despite big boys up front, Arizona State is susceptible to a good running game. Washington has one of those. And they will give up big pass plays too. Washington has plenty of those too. This game, while dangerous, could show off the Huskies offense like never before.
On defense, Washington will be tasked with stopping a very good passing offense. The Sun Devils run game is not very effective, so you can look for plenty of 3 pass rushers and 8 men in coverage in this game.
Arizona State has the worst punt coverage in the Pac-12. Record this one folks, I have a feeling Dante Pettis breaks that NCAA record. You heard it here first.
Predictions
Until last week’s telecast, I saw danger here. Dangerous enough for Washington to squeak by with a two point victory. Arizona State, at home, is a far better home team than travel team. And like a scorpion in the desert, they simply need to await the Huskies to arrive to sting. But under this week’s circumstances, I see a new script playing out.
Arizona State is rested and coming off their bye week. They also have this game anointed as their annual “Black Out” game, as well as their Hall-of-Fame-game. That means a rested and eager-to-show-off-for-their-fans Sun Devils team is going to deliver the best game of their season so far.
Want to know how that works? Well, California just demolished Washington State In their October 13, 2017 game in a similar style. That is what I feared awaiting Washington.
But thanks to ESPN, I no longer envision that “Surprise!” disappointment. Washington cannot enter Sun Devil Stadium after the nationally televised vitriol of ESPN sullied their toughness and their head coach. Now I see a determined Jake Browning (story to follow) having the game of his season. I see an inspired defense.
Washington 52 Arizona State 17
Washington – Arizona State game time, details:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017
Time: 7:45 p.m. PT
Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
What TV channel is Washington – Arizona State on?
The Washington versus Arizona State game is televised via ESPN.
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How can I watch Washington – Arizona State game online?
The Washington versus Arizona State game will stream on WatchESPN by cable or satellite subscription. You can catch the game on your mobile device at the WatchESPN app.
Will the Washington – Arizona State game be broadcast via the radio?
The Washington versus Arizona State game will make the radio on either 1000 KOMO-AM or 97.7 KOMO-FM in the Seattle area, or on the Sirius Satellite Radio channel 145, XM channel 197 and SiriusXM channel 959. The game’s radio broadcast can also be streamed online via the Washington IMG Sports radio.