Picking the Washington-Utah State game

Utah State (1-1, 0-0 in Mountain West) at Washington (1-1, 0-0 in Pac-12)

2 p..m. Saturday, Husky Stadium

The line: Washington by 6.5

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Radio: 1000 AM/97.7 FM

This game seems a perfect test for the Huskies before Pac-12 play begins.

Utah State’s football renaissance has relied mostly upon a stout run defense and an attacking style that has led to some pretty impressive sack numbers. The Aggies are unique and aggressive, and while their top two sack leaders from last season graduated, they’re still an experienced, confident bunch.

All of which should be pretty concerning to anyone who watched the Huskies’ season opener at Boise State, in which UW rushed for only 29 yards on 22 carries and had trouble creating a healthy, sustained pocket for Jake Browning. The Aggies, essentially, have a reputation of being good defensively at all of the things that align with UW’s offensive shortcomings. They’re tough against the run and they pressure the passer. And while they might not be as seasoned as Boise State, this feels like a similar challenge.

But the good news for Washington is that Utah State’s offense hasn’t exactly been great shakes so far, scoring only 12 points in an ugly victory over Southern Utah, then just 14 in a loss at Utah. Chuckie Keeton, whose dual-threat capabilities as a sophomore in 2012 earned him first-team all-WAC honors, is back for a fifth season as Utah State’s quarterback, but he’s coming off two major knee surgeries and looked pretty hobbled late in last week’s game after taking a low, illegal hit. He should still be considered a threat to scramble away from pressure and extend plays, but I don’t know how closely Keeton’s game still resembles what he was able to do before the injuries. And the rest of Utah State’s offense has obviously struggled, averaging only 3.84 yards per rush (92nd nationally) and just 4.61 yards per play (119th nationally). UW’s defense, which hasn’t allowed a point in its last six quarters, should be licking its chops.

The question, for me, is whether the Huskies can establish their running game early, and whether this green offensive line can communicate well enough to combat Utah State’s disguised blitzes and pressures. I don’t think it will take all that many points to win this game, assuming the Huskies’ defense continues to play the way it has for the last six quarters.

Add to the equation that they’re playing at home, and I like the Huskies by a touchdown in a game that could go a long way toward bowl eligibility.

The pick: Washington 20, Utah State 13.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Picking the Washington-Utah State game."