The Huskies get Penn State in their homecoming game tomorrow afternoon, and the matchup has the feel of a tight one. Both teams showed signs of wobbling before righting themselves against Purdue, though Washington followed that up with a strange and eye-catching win over Nebraska.
Andrew Berg sees a game that could come down to the smallest margins. He points out that Penn State’s wins have come against Marshall, Temple, Buffalo, and Purdue, which makes the Nittany Lions’ resume look a little softer than Washington’s. He also notes that Penn State’s offense has struggled with consistency against better defenses, especially because the Nittany Lions do not have the kind of electric running game that can cover for passing issues.
On the other side, Berg says Penn State’s defense is still the stronger unit, even if it is not as overwhelming as expected, ranking 25th in defensive SP+. He believes Washington’s most dangerous offensive moments this season have come when Elijah Brown was getting the ball out quickly and letting receivers work after the catch.
But the expectation is that Demond Williams will reclaim the starting role after finishing the Nebraska win, and Berg thinks that could force Jedd Fisch to get creative. Since Washington’s running game has not offered much lately, Williams may need to use his legs and operate on the move.
If the Huskies can do that and keep winning the turnover battle, Berg thinks the game is there for the taking. He ultimately leans toward the home team in a contest he views as close to a toss-up.
His pick: Washington 20, Penn St 17.
Mark Schafer is also leaning Washington, though he expects a little more scoring. He says the Week 10 setting and the atmosphere at Husky Stadium should help the Huskies build on the confidence they gained from the Nebraska win. Schafer believes Demond Williams’ dual-threat ability can keep Washington in the game, but he also warns that Williams’ “ugly tendencies” could surface and lead to mistakes.
Schafer also sees Penn State’s defense as a real challenge, citing its 18th-place ranking in yards per game and 25th in scoring defense. Still, he remains upbeat about Washington’s chances.
He expects Chris Lawson to have another strong outing and says the Huskies could benefit if the defense can force Penn State into a couple of errors. If that happens, Schafer says Washington should come away with the win.
His pick: Washington 24, Penn State 20.
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Demond Williams Jr. remains one of the biggest names to watch, even as his play has been uneven in Big Ten action and he works to settle into the role more firmly. Chris Lawson has also been a reliable target for the Huskies, though Penn States pass defense presents a tough test for Washingtons passing game and a chance for the offense to prove it can handle a higher level of resistance. [Read more 🡒]