On the offensive side - our run game is also elite. A healthy Zach Moss will eventually get his yards and there is not much anyone can do about that. I’ve been impressed by the backups with Brumfield, Wilmore and DHC doing a great job running. None of those guys are the blockers that Moss is though and that is why they aren’t seeing more minutes out there.
All the teams we played through USC seemed to be able to penetrate our O-line pretty readily. Granted the first three games of the year the O-line played straight up without a lot of wrinkles, but USC was a wake up call. My observation is that in the Harding era our O-line always seems to start out as a big question mark and then through the season becomes pretty fantastic. Oregon State’s defense was a joke, so no need to review that. However we contained Cal and ASU very well and seemed to give Huntley ample protection. I think it helps that we are also running a lot more quickly developing passing routes so he isn’t holding the ball too long.
Our WRs are running better routes and holding onto the ball better this season than any. If you spend time watching them this year it is night and day from Taylor and A-rod. Huntley is checking down his options a lot better as well and not instantly going into a run. Further, the TE and RB have been great at getting into space when he has needed to dump quickly. Kuithe has been exceptional and Moss has become one of our best receivers too.
Huntley has been fantastic and as others have mentioned here, he is playing well past what I expected him to be able to do. If he can stay healthy I feel good about every game we play. He keeps this up and he should be getting serious looks from the NFL - and truthfully we might even have a bit of a Kuzma effect with him in the NFL. I can see him excelling there.
As mentioned above, the success on O has really helped the D. Fortunately we also haven’t had to throw a lot of trick plays into the mix as we are simply out executing the opponents. I think that speaks a lot to the mentality of this team and they are reaping the benefits.
Special teams is uncharacteristically average and a change from many years of success there. Fortunately we haven’t had to rely heavily on it thus far, but that may come back to haunt us. Special teams is like free throw shooting in my mind. A good free throw shooting team is going to steal some games they shouldn’t, and the same with special teams. In fact up to this point I think we could rack a number of wins we’ve had primarily to ST. How nice was it it be on the 42 yard line last year and know that we could come away with some points.
One thing that makes me nervous in all of this is that I think that Chris Peterson is a special coach and he knows how to win. Whittingham has excelled in discipline and physicality and exceptional D. He knows the formula for game and clock management, but he does not have that x-factor that Peterson has. I do believe that Ludwig 2.0 might be able to counter that though. But overall, I’ve got to give the coaching edge to Washington.
I think we win this game. If not now, then when? I really don’t know. But if these guys have unfinished business, this week is the week. For the first time this year I am legit excited days in advance for this game.