#18 Washington (7-3) vs. Oregon State (2-8)
Saturday, November 17th @ 1:30 p.m. PST
Husky Stadium (Seattle, Washington)
Line: Washington -33.5
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Radio: KOMO AM-1000/FM-97.7
The Washington Huskies will matchup tomorrow afternoon against the Oregon State Beavers in front of the home crowd at Husky Stadium.
During this past week, the Huskies had the luxury of rejuvenating themselves with the much-needed bye week after ten weeks of football.
This week, the Huskies will have the opportunity to show what a rested and healthier team looks like against a Pacific Northwest opponent.
It will be “Senior Day” for the Huskies and emotions will be running high for the coaches and players, along with the fan base.
“I hope that they are really focused on the game and not too wrapped up in the last one at Husky Stadium, because we have a lot more ball to play and practice here. But you really hope they’re thinking about appreciating all they’ve been through and all they’ve accomplished, their teammates. I hope they’re thinking about that a little bit this week as we prepare to play the best that we can play.” Head coach Chris Petersen said earlier this week.
Both teams are entering this contest on different ends of the spectrum in regards to success, and what is left to play for this season.
Oregon State recently traveled to the Bay Area and suffered a 48-17 loss down on the farm, and is looking to right the ship against the Huskies.
On the other side, Washington has everything to play for during the last leg of the season. If they win their last two games of the regular season, they will earn a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game.
After entering the season picked as the overwhelming favorite to win the Pac-12 Title, the Huskies are looking to make a statement and finish their season off on a high note. It all starts tomorrow against the Beavers.
KEY PLAYERS: WASHINGTON
QB – Jake Browning
Jake Browning is a four-year starter for the Huskies and managed an efficient game against the Stanford Cardinal with no interceptions. Browning is at his best when the Husky offense is balanced and he finds open passing lanes to throw into.
RB – Myles Gaskin
Myles Gaskin returned to the Husky backfield last game against Stanford and he didn’t disappoint, as he gained 148 yards on 28 carries with 1 TD. Gaskin is the heart and soul of the Husky offense and it all starts with him.
LB – Ben Burr-Kirven
Ben Burr-Kirven was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award given to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. He has notched 134 total tackles on the season thus far which is remarkable.
KEY PLAYERS: OREGON STATE
RB – Jermar Jefferson
Jermar Jefferson has been absolutely outstanding this season, and is a “diamond in the rough” find for first year head coach Jonathan Smith. Jefferson has gained 1,201 yards on 199 carries and 12 TD’s on the season and has averaged 6.0 yards per carry.
WR – Isaiah Hodgins
Isaiah Hodgins had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games after recording 129 against USC, a week after finishing with 146 at Colorado. He is the first Oregon State player with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Victor Bolden Jr.
S – Jalen Moore
Jalen Moore is a physical safety who has a knack for swarming around the football and making plays. Moore is the leading tackler for the Beavers this season with 84 total tackles, and has been an impact player for the Beavers all season.
GAME NOTES
– Washington holds a 63-34-4 record in the all-time series against Oregon State, having won the 22 of the last 30 meetings and 32 of the last 41, dating back to 1975.
– The series against the Beavers is the second-longest (to Stanford) active series in Washington football history in terms of years and third-longest in terms of total meetings (to Oregon and Washington State).
– UW is 32-8 over its last 40 games … Washington hasn’t allowed a team to score 40 points in its last 54 games and, during that same span, has allowed over 30 only four times
– Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington for the previous four seasons under Huskies’ head coach Chris Petersen. Smith had also served under Petersen for two seasons at Boise State, coaching the team’s quarterbacks.
– Both teams have met every season since 1990.
PREDICTION (1-0)
With the benefit of the much-needed bye week coming after week ten, the Husky Football team should be plenty rested both physically and mentally. The Huskies should come out and play some of their best football of the season, after getting healthier this past week. In this game, the Huskies have everything to play for, and getting a win against the Beavers would ensure them of keeping their quest alive for winning a Pac-12 Championship. With their season on the line and a recharged Husky team taking the field, I fully expect them to come out and dominate early, while setting the tone for the entire game. Look for Myles Gaskin to lead the way with a 145-yard rushing effort, and for Jake Browning to manage the game efficiently. On defense, the Huskies will garner a couple of turnovers and be stout in stopping the Beavers running game with plugging gaps and run fits. The defense will hold Jermar Jefferson to only 62 yards on the ground and force the Beavers to throw the ball down the field. With the emotion of “Senior Day” present, the Huskies will give an inspired effort and send their seniors off with a “W” one last time at Husky Stadium. While the Huskies have only won two games total this season by 14 points or more, look for them to fall just short of the 33.5 point spread. The offense has struggled all season to put up big number points on the board. The Beavers will reach double digits on the scoreboard but only because of a late academic touchdown, once the Husky starters are out of the game. The Husky coaches will look to put the game out of reach early and not show too much, as they will want to save their best wrinkles for the Apple Cup the following week. Huskies cruise to victory…..
Washington 38 – Oregon State 10
