The UW Huskies are rolling into Week 2 after snagging that Apple Cup victory in Week 1. But let’s be real, Dawg Nation, that wasn’t exactly a perfect performance, was it? The coaching staff definitely has a long list of things they want cleaned up before the next kickoff. Good news for us, though: the Utah State Aggies are limping into Husky Stadium this Saturday as massive underdogs, and get this, they just took a humiliating L in their season opener against an FCS team, Idaho State. Talk about an early season gut punch for Coach Bronco Mendenhall’s squad and a golden opportunity for our Dawgs!
The Aggies’ Defense Is a Hot Mess Right Now
Look, the Aggies, now part of the re-formed Pac-12, are not exactly known for their brick-wall defense under Mendenhall. We’re talking about a unit that, in his first year with DC Nick Howell, was ranked a brutal #90 in points allowed per game and an even uglier #130 in yards allowed per game across the entire FBS. You read that right, #130! Their Achilles’ heel? Giving up explosive plays through the air, coughing up over 258 passing yards per game last season. Now, sure, they did hold Idaho State to a mere 152 passing yards and 89 rushing yards last week. But come on, folks, we gotta take that with a gallon of salt. It was an FCS squad, after all. The real story here is a completely revamped defensive roster for Utah State. They brought in a whopping 19 defensive transfers just to replace 10 who bolted, plus a bunch of other departures. That kind of turnover screams “lack of team chemistry” and “blown coverages” to me, especially early in the season. That’s a recipe for big plays for the opponent, and not in a good way for them.
This Is a “Get Right” Game for the UW Offense
Let’s be brutally honest with ourselves, the Huskies offense was out of sync for big chunks of that Apple Cup. A lot of that falls squarely on an inconsistent offensive line, especially with first-time starters holding down the fort at left tackle, right guard, and center. Missed assignments bit us hard, no doubt about it. And don’t even get me started on the running back room. It’s been absolutely decimated by injuries, meaning we haven’t seen the bruising, game-changing rushing attack we all expected would carry this offense this season. For us to truly light up the scoreboard and achieve our goals this year, we need to see way better cohesion upfront and a much sharper game overall from everyone. This Utah State team? With their struggles and roster turnover, they look like exactly the kind of opponent the Huskies need to get things clicking. It’s time for steady execution, to iron out those wrinkles, and for the offense to finally show the Emerald City what it’s truly made of.
We’re all expecting Coach Mendenhall to push his team to forget that awful opener against Idaho State. But when you’re facing the Huskies in the roaring cauldron of Husky Stadium, that’s always easier said than done. This Saturday, it’s not just another game on the schedule, it’s a golden chance for the Dawgs to send a clear message to the rest of the conference and for our offense to finally find its rhythm. We’ll be in the stands, watching every single snap, ready to see those crucial improvements. Go Dawgs!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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