Washington Football: Previewing Game Versus Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats at Washington Huskies

Kickoff time: Sat, Oct 29 — 7:30 p.m. PT

Seattle, WA.

The Washington Huskies find themselves at 5-2 (3-1 Pac-12) and in a position to fight for bowl positioning. Washington is already almost guaranteed a bowl game, they simply need to take care of business in their winnable games and they can find themselves playing in the Alamo or Holiday Bowls if push comes to shove.

The Arizona Wildcats on the other hand have a lot of work ahead of them as they try to get into bowl game this postseason. At 2-5 (1-4 Pac-12), Arizona will need to win at four of their remaining five games, a tough task considering the Wildcats still have Washington and rival No. 21 Arizona State remaining.

Arizona needs a win if they hope to be bowling this December, so It should be a great Pac-12 showdown.

Huskies’ Run Offense vs. Wildcats’ Run Defense

Advantage: Washington

This is the biggest advantage of the game for the Huskies. Arizona’s run defense has improved of late, but they still are one of the worst in the Pac-12.

Ranked No. 79 in the FBS, the Wildcats’ run defense is allowing 173.3 yards per game on the ground. As for the Huskies, they rank No. 47 in rush offense averaging 173.7 yards per game on the ground.

Huskies running back Chris Polk has been a silent killer of teams, carving up teams for 872 yards on the ground this season.

Huskies’ Pass Offense vs. Wildcats’ Pass Defense

Advantage: Washington

As bad as Arizona’s run defense is, their pass defense is even worse. The Wildcats rank No. 111 out of 120 teams in major college football at defending the pass, allowing a ridiculous 291 yards per game through the air.

That’s the second worst in the Pac-12 behind your very own Huskies secondary.

Keith Price, Washington’s starting quarterback, should have a huge day for the Huskies finding open receivers all over the field. The Huskies rank No. 44 in passing yards per game, averaging 246 yards per game.

The Huskies will air the ball out all day.

Wildcats’ Run Offense vs. Huskies’ Run Defense

Advantage: Washington

The Huskies have the advantage here because there is no team as terrible at running the football than the Arizona Wildcats.

Prior to the Wildcats’ game last Thursday against UCLA, when Arizona recorded the majority of its yardage, the Wildcats ranked No. 117 in rush offense with only 73.8 yards per game.

Washington’s run defense ranks No. 17 in the country in stopping the run, allowing only 97 yards per game on the ground.

Wildcats’ Pass Offense vs. Huskies’ Pass Defense

Advantage: Arizona

This is the one area of strength this Arizona team will have on Saturday. The Wildcats can really air out the football.

So far on the 2011 season, the Wildcats rank No. 4 (behind Houston, Oklahoma State and West Virginia) in pass offense with an incredible 373.9 yards per game through the air.

The Wildcats have been able to move the ball successfully by passing in each of their games behind the arm of senior leader Nick Foles.

To make this even more lopsided, the Huskies secondary is terrible. There’s no other way around it.

Washington ranks terribly at No. 116 in the country at defending the pass, allowing 303.7 yards per game through the air.

The Wildcats will easily put up 350 yards on the day against the Huskies, maybe 400. But is it enough to beat the Huskies? 

Prediction

The Wildcats’ one-dimensional offense will not be able to put up enough points to win the game. Arizona will have to give up on the run game early in the game, making their game plan predictable and easier to defend.

The Huskies’ balanced attack of Chris Polk, Keith Price and Devin Aguilar will pick apart Arizona’s unstable defense and the Huskies should come away with the victory on Saturday. 

Game MVP: Chris Polk, Washington

Score:

Washington 38

Arizona 31