Looks like CFN sees the Huskies running away with this one.....Hmmmm
Eastern Washington (0-0) at Washington (0-0) Sept. 3, 7:00
- Get Tickets For This Game
Here’s The Deal … Washington and Eastern Washington have never played. Heck, the Huskies are one of the last remaining schools to have never shared the field with an opponent from the FCS. Ever. That oddity changes on Saturday afternoon with a visit from the reigning FCS champions. The Huskies are out to build on last year’s momentum, which included a first bowl game in eight years, an upset of heavily-favored Nebraska. If head coach Steve Sarkisian is going to keep his program surging north in the Pac-12, he’ll have to do so without franchise QB Jake Locker who’s now getting paid for his talents. Eastern Washington is ecstatic about this maiden chance to travel to Seattle, especially since almost half of its roster hails from the region. The 2010 Eagles gave the school its first-ever crown in football, capping a 13-2 campaign with a thrilling one-point victory over Delaware.
Why Eastern Washington Might Win: While RB Taiwan Jones will be impossible to replace, the Eagles have enough returning parts to once again be among the top offenses in the FCS. Washington’s biggest challenge will be containing the lethal pitch-and-catch combo of Bo Levi Mitchell to Brandon Kaufman. The classic riverboat gambler behind center, Mitchell tossed 37 scoring strikes in his first year since transferring from SMU. His top three targets were sophomores, including the big-play Kaufman who caught 76 passes for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns. This passing attack is capable of quickly solving an average Huskies pass defense, and keeping Eastern Washington in the hunt throughout the game.
Why Washington Might Win: Aside from DE Renard Williams, Eastern Washington will lack the defensive stoppers to contain U-Dub’s skill position players on offense. In RB Chris Polk and WR Jermaine Kearse, the Huskies boast a couple of next-level talents who’ll toy with the Eagles D. Polk, in particular, is a force of nature about to parlay his junior year into possible early entry into the NFL. On defense, Washington should be able to control the line of scrimmage, and force Mitchell to operate on the move. The front four could be the program’s nastiest in years, boasting all-league candidates in DT Alameda Ta’amu and DE Hau’oli Jamora. Even backups, like UCLA transfer Josh Shirley, are going to be nuisances in 2011.
What To Watch Out For: Faced with the unenviable task of filling Locker’s cleats will be Keith Price. The sophomore built a lead on Nick Montana in the spring, and never looked back in August. Like his predecessor, he’s a multi-dimensional threat, but not nearly as big, dangerous or experienced. He’ll be learning on the fly, beginning with this weekend opener at Husky Stadium. While Week 1 certainly won’t define the balance of the year for Price, it could set the tone for his confidence level for the next few weeks.
What Will Happen: Washington will start 2011 the way it concluded 2010 to post its fifth win in-a-row. For the Huskies these days, it’s all about building on the winning attitude, making the victim not overly relevant. Their offense will provide the spark, getting a monster effort out of Polk to pull away at some point before halftime. Price won’t need to be heroic on this day, throwing a touchdown pass and earning the first win of his career.
CFN Prediction: Washington 41 … Eastern Washington 21
Eastern Washington (0-0) at Washington (0-0) Sept. 3, 7:00
- Get Tickets For This Game
Here’s The Deal … Washington and Eastern Washington have never played. Heck, the Huskies are one of the last remaining schools to have never shared the field with an opponent from the FCS. Ever. That oddity changes on Saturday afternoon with a visit from the reigning FCS champions. The Huskies are out to build on last year’s momentum, which included a first bowl game in eight years, an upset of heavily-favored Nebraska. If head coach Steve Sarkisian is going to keep his program surging north in the Pac-12, he’ll have to do so without franchise QB Jake Locker who’s now getting paid for his talents. Eastern Washington is ecstatic about this maiden chance to travel to Seattle, especially since almost half of its roster hails from the region. The 2010 Eagles gave the school its first-ever crown in football, capping a 13-2 campaign with a thrilling one-point victory over Delaware.
Why Eastern Washington Might Win: While RB Taiwan Jones will be impossible to replace, the Eagles have enough returning parts to once again be among the top offenses in the FCS. Washington’s biggest challenge will be containing the lethal pitch-and-catch combo of Bo Levi Mitchell to Brandon Kaufman. The classic riverboat gambler behind center, Mitchell tossed 37 scoring strikes in his first year since transferring from SMU. His top three targets were sophomores, including the big-play Kaufman who caught 76 passes for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns. This passing attack is capable of quickly solving an average Huskies pass defense, and keeping Eastern Washington in the hunt throughout the game.
Why Washington Might Win: Aside from DE Renard Williams, Eastern Washington will lack the defensive stoppers to contain U-Dub’s skill position players on offense. In RB Chris Polk and WR Jermaine Kearse, the Huskies boast a couple of next-level talents who’ll toy with the Eagles D. Polk, in particular, is a force of nature about to parlay his junior year into possible early entry into the NFL. On defense, Washington should be able to control the line of scrimmage, and force Mitchell to operate on the move. The front four could be the program’s nastiest in years, boasting all-league candidates in DT Alameda Ta’amu and DE Hau’oli Jamora. Even backups, like UCLA transfer Josh Shirley, are going to be nuisances in 2011.
What To Watch Out For: Faced with the unenviable task of filling Locker’s cleats will be Keith Price. The sophomore built a lead on Nick Montana in the spring, and never looked back in August. Like his predecessor, he’s a multi-dimensional threat, but not nearly as big, dangerous or experienced. He’ll be learning on the fly, beginning with this weekend opener at Husky Stadium. While Week 1 certainly won’t define the balance of the year for Price, it could set the tone for his confidence level for the next few weeks.
What Will Happen: Washington will start 2011 the way it concluded 2010 to post its fifth win in-a-row. For the Huskies these days, it’s all about building on the winning attitude, making the victim not overly relevant. Their offense will provide the spark, getting a monster effort out of Polk to pull away at some point before halftime. Price won’t need to be heroic on this day, throwing a touchdown pass and earning the first win of his career.
CFN Prediction: Washington 41 … Eastern Washington 21
