2018 Washington Football Auburn opener punctuates solid season

The 2018 Washington Football schedule improves non-conference play and challenges Huskies early. If the Huskies can beat Auburn in the opener, that sets the stage for 2018 as a solid season.

The Washington Football team is not one to shy away from challenges.  When the team had an opportunity to face an SEC powerhouse in the form of the Auburn Tigers, despite playing the game deep in the heart of Dixie, they signed up.   And so, the 2018 season will not be one represented by cupcakes, but by gritty in the dirt football won or lost in the trenches.

This is the first meeting of the two teams.  But despite their unfamiliarity, they have similar histories and styles.  Both teams finished with 10 wins in 2017.  Auburn, despite finishing 10-4, ended the season 10th nationally, while 10-3 Washington landed at 16th overall in the country.

Statistical comparisons

Washington boasted one of the nation’s best defense last year.  Specifically, the Huskies finished sixth nationally at 14.5 points per game.  Furthermore, they were fifth overall with just 277 yards allowed per game.  Auburn finished tenth with 17.7 points surrendered per game, but allowed 312 yards per game, good for just 14th in the nation.

Conversely, it is the Auburn Tigers who hold the edge on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, Auburn averaged 452 yards per game: 233.2 yards passing and 218.3 yards rushing.  Those numbers were good for 26th in the nation.  While the team certainly moved the ball handily, they did not always translate that into points, as Auburn scored 33.2 points per game, good for 27th.  Auburn’s offense was a grind it out offense, focused on ball control.