CenturyLink farewell
The Washington Huskies finally got the road monkey off their back last week with a big win over Cal. Tonight, they play at home once more – the last time they will call CenturyLink their home until next year when new Husky Stadium is ready to be christened by the Dawgs.
Utah at Washington
When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, November 10, 2012
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network.
Team Records: Utah (4-5), Washington (5-4)
Standings: Utah 5th Pac-12 South, Washington 4th Pac-12 North
Matchup | Preview
Utah will help the Huskies send off CenturyLink field tonight when the game kicks off at 7:30 pm. There are no gimme games in the Pac-12, so both teams will have to step up in this one.
Game Notes
As previously mention, Washington snapped a 6 game road losing streak with their win over Cal last week. The 5-4 record that Washington possesses was hard earned after it was announced/discovered this week that Washington has the second hardest schedule in all of college football.
ASJ used his size to outjump and outmuscle Cal last week. He needs to do it again this week against Utah
Utah, in their second year in the Pac-12, has mustered up a 2-4 conference schedule so far and will be looking to get as far away from the cellar of the Pac-12 South as they can.
Last season, Washington welcomed Utah to the Pac-12 with a win in Utah.
What to Watch: Utah
Despite their ugly Pac-12 record, Utah has been a formidable opponent this season. In the last few weeks, they have turned head on special teams. That’s because returner Reggie Dunn has returned 3 kickoffs at least 100 yards for touchdowns.
Utah is looking to reach a 10th consecutive bowl game and will need to win 2 of their last 3 in order to become eligible.
The Utes are looking to get into the win column against Washington for the first time, after going 0-7 in their history against the Huskies.
What to Watch: Washington
Despite playing some big time teams, Washington is still standing and holding their own in the Pac-12. A big part of the reason why are 2 offensive players racking up some big personal numbers almost week in and week out in Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Bishop Sankey.
ASJ has set a few records already and will be looking to break more as a tight end at Washington while Sankey is doing a good job in filling some big shoes – he is less than 200 yards away from a 1,000 yard rushing season.
UW Offense vs. Utah Defense
Keith Price will need to play a clean game tonight as they will not be able to rely on the run to win the game. He needs to hit his playmakers Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Kasen Williams and allow them to make the plays that they have made time and time again. ASJ already has the most receptions in the country by a tight end and Price needs to tack onto that total.
Bishop Sankey will be looking to eclipse that 1,000 yard mark, but it will be no easy task this week. Last week, he racked up 189 rush yards against Cal and needs 145 yards to break the century mark.
Standing in his way will be Utah, who is stingy on run defense, and their standout defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who has made a big impact on the Utah defensive line this season.
UW Defense vs. Utah Offense
Washington needs to be wary of Utah running back John White. He has totaled 2 straight games with over 100 yards and will look to continue that streak against the Dawgs. Utah is 11-0 when White rushes for over 100 yards.
Utah is a rushing team and you can tell – Ute starting QB freshman Travis Wilson only has 817 yards passing on the season, less than half of Price’s total thus far.
That means the Huskies will need to crows the box and bring Shaq Thompson up and use some bigger guys on the line in order to help stop White from reaching yet another milestone. If they DO decide to pass the ball, the Huskies MUST be ready.
If the Huskies win tonight, they will become bowl eligible for the third straight season. That is a long way from the 0-12 season they suffered and they haven’t looked back since that tragic season. With this being the last game at CenturyLink for the Dawgs, look for them to earn an inspired victory before hitting the road to finish out the season.
Utah 17, Washington 27
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