Washington football: How the Huskies matchup against each WSU unit

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Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington football. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

vs. WSU Offensive line

These guys are good. Washington State runs a very complicated offense and this O-line been on point all season. The unit has made it their mission to protect quarterback Gardner Minshew this season. Just when a defense thinks they have the WSU offensive line figured out, the Cougs can burn them with the draw.

vs. WSU Running Backs

There are lots of great running backs in the PAC-12 this year. The 1, 2 punch of James Williams and Max Borghi should be among them. Don’t be fooled by their overall rushing totals, because the Air Raid doesn’t utilize the run game as others offenses do. Williams and Borghi are deadly in the flat catching passes, they can break tackles and make people miss. BBK will be in a position to add to his nation-leading tackle total.

vs. WSU Receivers

Anyone who watches college football knows how good the Washington State receivers are. What they might not know is that they go two deep at each of the four receiver positions. Yes, they almost always run a four-receiver set. The Huskies have the best secondary in the conference and maybe in the country. This is the true strength on strength matchup of this game. This may be the first time all season WSU has a fair matchup on 50/50 passes.

vs. WSU Quarterback

You could argue that Gardner Minshew has been the best college quarterback this season not named Tua Tagovialoa. For a guy who arrived on campus six months ago, he has an amazingly outstanding grasp of both the offense and his receiver’s capabilities. Washington won’t be able to read him either, because he looks like the reincarnation of Dan Fouts going through his check downs.

The one thing that surprises the most is Minshew’s ability to avoid the rush. He has an uncanny ability to feel oncoming pressure and make a step in any direction to avoid it. If all else fails, Minshew has a decent set of wheels and can take off.

Playing against the Washington State Offense

If I had a key to stopping the Air Raid, I wouldn’t be writing here. I have seen every game and seen what has and hasn’t worked. Occasionally, teams can shake things up with the blitz. Minshew reads defenses well, so it won’t work often.

I suggest the Huskies play in a nickel package and avoid the deep pass. It’s going to be death by 1,000 cuts, but the talented Washington defensive backs will have some chances to make plays.

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