Know Your Opponent: Week Nine Washington Huskies
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Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The No. 13 Indiana Hoosiers are at home again as they host the Washington Huskies. ESPN’s College GameDay will be on campus and it is another sold out crowd for the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Instead of our normal Know Your Opponent we had a Q&A with SoundtheSirenUW
Head Coach: Jedd Fisch (1st Year at Washington)
Overall Record: 21-25(.457) 4th Full Season
At Washington: 4-3 (2-2)
Washington Bowl Games: 42
Last Year’s Record: 14-1 National Runner Up
This Year’s Record: 4-3 (2-2)
Mascot: Dub II and Harry The Husky
Colors: Purple and Gold
Outfitter: adidas
National Titles: 2
Conference Titles: 18
Heisman Winners: 0
FUN FACT:
• Washington was one of four charter members of what became the Pac-12 Conference and, along with California, was one of only two schools with uninterrupted membership until the 2024 conference realignment.
Q&A With @SoundtheSirenUW
1. The passing game has been a strength but took a step back against Iowa. What did the Hawkeyes do to disrupt Rogers and the WRs?
The starting left tackle, Soane Faasolo was injured in the first offensive series and Iowa was able to/exacerbated how much they were able to get pressure and sacks largely with their front four.
2. Washington’s run D numbers are not great, what issues have they had in the run game? Is it missed tackles? Poor run fits? Size doesn’t appear to be the problem.
Injuries to a relatively thin group in the interior defensive line (DT Javon Parker out for the season with an Achilles injury) plus Carson Bruener is playing through a shoulder injury/problem and not being able to really take on/shed blocks. Teams are keying on that and running to his side
3. How has the transition to Jed Fisch going? As well as the transition to the Big Ten?
Recruiting has been a big step up with Fisch (vs DeBoer) - UW currently has the #18 class in the country (on 247).
On the field - self-inflicted wounds have been the norm, if not for mental mistakes (both coaches with play-calling and players committing penalties at the worst times) - UW should/would be 6-1 (outgained the opponent in all 3 losses but penalties plus red-zone issues)
Big Ten transition wise, the travel to Rutgers wasn’t really the problem (outgained RU by 221 yards) but made mental mistakes, which again happened at Iowa (albeit a closer yardage tally) gave Iowa short fields and turnovers leading to 13 Iowa points.
We haven’t really been outclassed by any opponent to this point, but aren’t good enough to just out talent a team if we’re not at our best, Michigan is probably the best game as a whole UW has played this year, every other game has had good quarters, but not really good halves
4. Do you expect those guys back from injury?
The only player we’re expecting back this week/more healthy is Edge Zach Durfee - he’s been good, but dealing with Turf Toes - yes multiple.
5. Washington has to do _______ to pull the upset?
UW has to play its best game of the season to date - must score TDs in the red zone rather than trying FGs (which has been adventurous this year in and of itself), and have to at least mitigate some of Indiana’s rush offense to put Indiana in passing situations.
6. Washington will struggle if they struggle doing _________
Washington will lose if they can’t at least slow the run and don’t give Jonah Coleman 18+ carries (which they’ve yet to do this year) and Indiana can replicate the pressure Iowa got on Rogers bringing four.
7. Prediction?
38-20 Hoosiers, I think we show some improvement coming out of the bye - but Indiana has too much on both sides of the ball, and some of the self-inflicted wounds make another appearance.