Washington (4-6, 3-4) vs. Colorado (3-7, 2-5)
Saturday, November 20th @ 12:00 p.m. PT
Folsom Field (Boulder, Colorado)
Line: Washington -6.5
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Radio: Seattle Sports Radio 950 KJR
The Washington Huskies will face off against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field, as the Dawgs are coming off one of their most gut-wrenching losses of the season.
During their last game, the Huskies had the game well in hand being up 10 points with just under 7-minutes remaining. The Huskies couldn’t control the clock and stop the run, which resulted in a disappointing 35-30 home loss against the Arizona State Sun Devils. The following day, former Washington head coach Jimmy Lake was relieved of his duties permanently after already serving a one-game suspension for conduct.
This week, the Huskies are facing an opponent from the Pac-12 South, where they have struggled mightily this season, but have also shown moments of grit as well. So far this season, Colorado is 3-7, after suffering a 44-20 road loss against the UCLA Bruins last weekend, and embattled head coach Karl Dorrell is coaching for his job each week.
Offensively, the Huskies must find a way to move the chains, convert on third downs and score points to gain separation.
Defensively, the Buffaloes will have to find a consistent pass rush to put pressure on Washington QB Dylan Morris and disrupt his rhythm.
Something has to give, in this contest between two teams on life support, but one of them still having a chance to earn bowl eligibility!
KEY PLAYERS: WASHINGTON
QB – Dylan Morris
DB – Brendan Radley-Hiles
TE – Cade Otton
KEY PLAYERS: COLORADO
QB – Brendon Lewis
RB – Jarek Broussard
ILB – Nate Landman
ESPN MATCHUP PREDICTOR
GAME NOTES
– Washington and Colorado have squared off 18 times in their history and the Huskies hold the edge with 12 wins, six losses, and one tie. Washington had won nine straight games vs. the Buffaloes, a streak that dated back 20 years, before losing the most recent meeting, in 2019. UW is 7-1 vs. Colorado since the Pac-10 Conference expanded to become the Pac-12, including six wins in the regular season and one in the 2016 Pac-12 Championship game.
– UW is one of just seven teams that has allowed three or fewer scrimmage plays of 40 or more yards this season
– UW is the only FBS program that has scored in every red-zone opportunity this season … the Huskies have scored 21 touchdowns and 10 field goals in 31 trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line this season
– Through 10 games, here’s something rarely if ever seen: CU is averaging 137.9 yards per game rushing and 137.9 yards per game passing (or 1,379 yards of each).
– Colorado QB Brendon Lewis has 10 touchdown passes this season, seven of which have been thrown to freshmen; that is two more than the entire total of TD passes previously thrown from a freshman to a freshman wide receiver in CU history, and one shy of the total of eight by a freshman to other freshmen (the three others were to running backs).
– The Buffaloes scored touchdowns in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – in the 34-0 win over Arizona. It marked the first time. CU had done that since twice during the 2004 season.
PREDICTION
Jeff Wright (7-3)
Statistically, the Buffaloes rank near the cellar both offensively and defensively in Pac-12 team rankings. The Huskies have much more clarity this week and have the ability to put last week behind them and focus on trying to get to a bowl game! There is no margin for error anymore and can’t afford to drop this game. What makes this a close contest in my mind is that Boulder can be a tough place to play at and the Huskies must set the tone early. While this looks like a possible comfortable road win for the Huskies, they have proven this year that they don’t have the team to dominate weaker opponents! I think the ball bounces their way just enough to hold off a surging Colorado drive at the end. Dawgs in a nailbiter!
Washington 21 – Colorado 17
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