Huard: Keys for No. 6 UW Huskies against Fresno State
Sep 14, 2017, 11:40 AM
UW's O-line needs to create more room for their running backs, according to Brock Huard. (AP)
(AP)
Coming off a 63-7 win over Montana in their home opener, the Washington Huskies have moved up another spot in the Associated Press poll to No. 6. Here are some keys for UW as it wraps up its non-conference schedule Saturday against Fresno State, courtesy of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard.
Jeff Tedford’s familiarity with UW means a good warm-up for Pac-12 play.
Fresno State has a coach that knows the Huskies inside and out as Bulldogs head coach Jeff Tedford worked as an analyst inside the Husky program last season. Rutgers and Montana had nowhere near the familiarity of scheme, personnel and culture that Tedford will have heading into Saturday. That said, Tedford’s team has nowhere near the size, speed and depth to take advantage of that inside knowledge like Stanford, Colorado and even Oregon may in conference play.
The offensive line needs to make more room for running backs Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman.
Myles and Lavon have done their jobs, and Gaskin’s versatility has taken a step forward as a receiver and factor in space. That said, the group in front of them has not created nearly enough consistent push, movement or creases they did a season ago, and that continues to be a focus moving forward into conference play. One side of the O-line, whether that’s Kaleb McGary/Nick Harris or Jesse Sosebee/Trey Adams, needs to have a strong performance this week. Washington has a new offensive line coach in Scott Huff, and while the linemen haven’t been a mess, they’ve been by no measure dominant.
The special teams are making an enormous difference this year.
The threat of Dante Pettis in the return game and the depth and speed of the coverage units does not allow an opponent the opportunity to breathe. Elite defenses are always complimented by dominant special teams; it was that exact recipe for Don James’ run with the Huskies in the late 80s into the early 90s, and Chris Petersen is following the blueprint.
Standout defensive players to watch.
Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven has been the most pleasant surprise so far this season. Defensive tackle Vita Vea has played to his first-round NFL Draft talent. Cornerback Byron Murphy has played at as high a level or more than Washington’s two corners from a season ago that are now in the NFL, Kevin King and Sidney Jones. Strength at every level has once again made this defensive group suffocating.
