College Football: Predicting every undefeated teams first loss
By Carly Regehr
3. Washington Huskies
W-L Record: 7-0
Remaining Schedule: at Utah, at Cal, Southern Cal, Arizona State, at Washington State
They will fall victim to…
Washington State on Nov. 25
This year’s Apple Cup is going to be filled with splendid fanfare. Washington is ranked inside the AP Top 10. Washington State isn’t too far behind. And that’s the greatest publicity for the Pac-12. Given that the Pac-12 is normally the definition of instability, both Washington and Washington State are the rocks the conference needs to lean on.
Because there’s power in numbers, it’s hard to ignore what quarterbacks Luke Falk and Jake Browning are doing for their institutions. Of all of his 348 pass attempts, Falk’s completed 253 of those, granting him a 72.7-percent completion rate; whereas Jake Browning sits at 68.6-percent (118-for-172). Both field generals are also promoting their statuses by coughing up the ball less – Falk has thrown five interceptions and Browning, only two.
Nov. 25 will be the 97th game for two teams that live in a state known for its domestic hop production. Washington does, in fact, have a healthy lead in the series with 62 wins to Washington State’s 30. The first meeting of theirs took place in 1917 when Washington was a part of the Pacific Coast Conference. Last year, Washington had five total touchdowns, two on defense.
If there’s any Pac-12 school that Washington prefers to lose to, then it’s at the hands of their in-state rivals. Washington St. has some homework, too. Falk may have a hard time penetrating the elite pass defense of Washington’s, who has allowed sub-200-yard games to opposing quarterbacks. If the Cougars want to bite the Huskies, it’ll be with RB Gerald Wicks (51 carries, 225 yards, 8 TD), RB Jamal Morrow (55 carries, 333 yards, 4 TD) and RB James Williams (47 carries, 289 yards, 4 TD).