By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

With the Husky offense nearly unstoppable it’s time for the defense to take the next step

After beating their most hated rivals in the Pac-12 in front of the nation with a picturesque setting, the Washington Huskies are out to prove last week was just the beginning and not the season’s pinnacle. The dramatic 36-33 win over the Oregon Ducks on a missed field goal sent the team and Husky Nation into a celebratory dance not witnessed here in decades. A  No. 5 National ranking has the Huskies feeling confident and proud of themselves.

SAY ALL THE RIGHT THINGS

Head coach  Kalen DeBoer made it clear during his Monday press conference that his coaching staff understands the task of preaching focus, execution, and improvement to the Husky players who face a 1-5 Arizona State team that has yet to win a conference game. And yes this is the same Arizona State team that upset the Huskies last year in Tucson with an interim coach

CAN THE DEFENSE DO ITS PART

The Huskies offense is an unstoppable scoring machine leading  the nation in passing offense and is No. 3 in total offense and No. 5 in scoring offense

The big question for the Huskies is can the defense play its part as the team marches towards the business end of the season? Against the  Ducks the Husky had a  bend but didn’t break and let’s be honest if  Oregon place kicker   Camden Lewis had made the last-second field goal the game would have gone into overtime anything could have happened.  Washington’s defense improved in creating turnovers with 8th  compared to last season’s total of seven. The offense has cashed in on the turnovers scoring six touchdowns and one field goal for a total of 46 points.

IMPROVE OVERALL  EXECUTION

With each game providing a challenge and there are some big challenges looming down the road for the  Huskies, USC, Utah Oregon State, and Washington State,  the Husky defense must improve quickly.  Washington’s defense needs to improve its overall execution,  on third down, total defense, and yards allowed per game. The  Huskies are ranked 90th  in total defense allowing 394.3 yards per game,  113th in opponent third down conversions at 42.26% and 101 in opponent red zone touchdowns. While the numbers seem gaudy they can be quickly reversed with a dominating performance by the Huskies in the next several games.

PLAYERS  TO WATCH

Arizona State (1-5) at No. 5 Washington (6-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Husky Stadium

TV: FS1

Radio: SportsRadio 93.3-FM KJR

Latest line: Huskies by 28.5

UW key players

QB Michael Penix Jr.: 72.1% completions, 2,301 passing yards, 20 pass TD, 3 INT

WR Rome Odunze: 40 catches, 736 receiving yards, 18.4 yards per reception, 6 receiving TD, 1 rush TD

LB Edefuan Ulofoshio: 38 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup

CB Jabbar Muhammad: 14 tackles, 3 PBU, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT

ASU key players

QB Trenton Bourguet: 65.3% completions, 726 passing yards, 1 pass TD, 2 INT, 2 rush TD

RB Cam Skattebo: 367 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per carry, 5 rush TD, 245 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

LB Tate Romney: 30 tackles, 3 PBU, 1.5 TFL, 1 fumble recovery

DL Prince Dorbah: 25 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 6 sacks

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