The #9 Washington Huskies will hit the road for the first time in 2016 as they take on Pac-12 foe the Arizona Wildcats. The Huskies enter this game with a record of 3-0 while the Wildcats have a record of 2-1. This will be Arizona’s third straight home game of the season. Their first game of the season against BYU was played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The Huskies are an 11-point favorite.

Huskies have not been tested yet

Washington has opened the season against three lackluster opponents. No offense to Rutgers, Idaho or Portland State but none of those three teams have the caliber of athletes that the Wildcats have on their roster. Washington will need an all-around good performance from all three phases of the game, offense, defense and special teams.

Washington’s defense has been really good so far in their first three games of the season. They gave up 304 yards against Rutgers, 322 against Idaho and only 182 yards to Portland State. Washington will have their hands full with the Arizona offense though as the Wildcats have a quarterback that can run the ball as well.

Arizona not really tested either

Arizona lost their first game of the season 18-16 to BYU. Since then they have won games against Grambling (31-21) and Hawaii (47-28). They are led on offense by running back Nick Wilson (257 yards, three touchdowns) and quarterback Brandon Dawkins (458 passing yards, two touchdowns and 215 rushing yards and five touchdowns). Anu Solomon started the season opener for Arizona and had an okay game as he threw for 213 yards but had two interceptions. Since then, Dawkins has led them to two straight victories and will look to make it three in a row.

Arizona's quarterback Brandon Dawkins has accounted for seven touchdowns so far this season | Source: Christian Petersen - Getty Images
Arizona's quarterback Brandon Dawkins has accounted for seven touchdowns so far this season | Source: Christian Petersen - Getty Images

Arizona’s official injury report for the game has both Solomon and Dawkins listed as questionable. Linebacker DeAndre’ Miller is out with an ankle injury. Fullback Jamardre Cobb (knee), nose guard Parker Zellers (knee) are also listed as out.

Pregame quotes

When speaking with reporters, Washington head coach Chris Petersen talked about a variety of things heading into the matchup against Arizona. When asked about the first Pac-12 game of the season, Petersen had this to say:

“I think they’ve been practicing really hard for a long time. But they understand that importance. The first three games are important, but they’re also to get us ready to play in the league and I think everybody would say that. They worked hard. They practiced hard.”

In regards to Arizona’s offense being a good matchup for UW’s defense:

“I think our guys just played well. I don’t think our system is that much different some other people they played. I think our guys just executed. Their system is hard because it spreads the field and creates 1-on-1 matchups whether it’s a receiver, whether it’s in the run game. They even the numbers pretty good. Like we said, I think those guys do a really good job with that system.”

When he was asked about quarterback Jake Browning’s season numbers, Petersen didn’t seem impressed:

Even thought Washington quarterback Jake Browning has played well so far this season, head coach Chris Petersen is not impressed | Source: Otto Greule, Jr. - Getty Images
Even thought Washington quarterback Jake Browning has played well so far this season, head coach Chris Petersen is not impressed | Source: Otto Greule, Jr. - Getty Images

“No, the numbers don’t mean much. We just watch the tape, and is he doing what we need him to do? Is our offense, as a unit? I mean, I think we’re trying to set our quarterback up for success. Most offensive coaches are. So when the quarterback’s numbers are good, there’s other people around them doing a pretty solid job, as well.”

Prediction

This will be Washington’s first true test of the season. Washington embarrassed Arizona last year 49-3 and the players left over from last season will want to prove that was a fluke. If Washington wants to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the Pac-12 and Pac-12 North, they must come out and leave it all on the field. Washington may be an 11-point favorite but expect this to be a closer game that.

Washington Huskies 38, Arizona Wildcats 31

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Chris Blakely
Chris is an American sports journalist based out of Seattle, Washington. Co-Editor of the soccer section of VAVEL USA. He also is the leading editor of VAVEL USA's NWSL section.