I really shouldn’t have to write this, but here we are.
I thought we were going to beat the Utes on Saturday. In fact, as we jumped out to a 14-3 first half lead, I kept getting angrier and angrier. Where was this two weeks ago against the Ducks?! If it were up to me, I would’ve GLADLY lost to the Utes if it meant a victory over Oregon. Instead, I get neither, as once again our second-half defense blew it.
I don’t have anything good to say here. This was Jacob Eason’s worst game as a Husky, as his two interceptions and one fumble were all back-breakers.
The running game didn’t do much, but that was to be expected. We’re as banged up as you can get, plus Utah’s defensive front seven is really good.
And, of course, our defense just isn’t anywhere NEAR the level they’ve been in recent seasons. We ended up with 4 sacks when it was all said and done, but with the game on the line we couldn’t stop the Utes from marching right down the field.
It also wasn’t a great game for our coaches, whose in-game adjustments never pan out. Plus, on our last TD drive, we ended up blowing 2 time outs when we needed to preserve all three when the onside kick ultimately failed. There’s just no defense of calling either time out in that situation.
And, here we are, 5-4 in the waning moments of a lost season. Yet another reminder that Washington isn’t in the same league as the true elites of college football, in spite of our recent successes. The REAL bigtime programs don’t have down seasons like this. We’re somewhere in that second or third tier, which is super disappointing.
We get back-to-back road games at Oregon State and Colorado (sandwiching our second BYE week), and while those programs are far from great, the Beavers are much better than they’ve been in recent years. And, with the way our defense has played this season, I’m not discounting the Buffs with their one conference victory.
This Friday evening should be fun, but not because the Huskies are going to Oregon State on a short week. That game will be televised on the smaller TV in our living room, as the Husky basketball season tips off an hour earlier! At this point, I’ll be going through the motions with Husky football the rest of the way; it’s all about our hoops team and our eventual Final Four visit in March Madness 2020!