JIMMY THE GREEK SAYS

[jimmythegreek]

(5) Washington -19 over California:
After a hard fought win last week against then #17 Utah, the 5th ranked Huskies (8-0 5-0) will more than likely be pissed off moving on on the road at California (4-4 2-3) Saturday night. I'm sure Chris Petersen and probably a huge potion of the upper Northwest were beside themselves after one loss Texas A&M leapfrogged them in the playoff chase. Nonetheless, while this scenario could very well likely adjust itself, the Huskies received all they could handle from the Running Utes before finally prevailing 31-24 thanks to a Dante Pettis 58 yard punt return that broke a 24 all tie with 3:25 remaining. Utah's spirited defense did all they could to contain Jake Browning (12/20 186 2 TD 1 INT). In fact the game was relatively close and back and forth throughout, and Washington got a huge boost from their equally balanced running game thanks to 151 yards on 19 carries (7.9) and a 10 yard TD by Myles Gaskin. John Ross (4-48 2 TD) caught both of Browning's TD passes, and with the Husky defense stopping Utah deep in their own territory, Pettis took back the punt to paydirt keeping Petersen's crew unbeaten. Despite failing to force any turnovers, Washington's defense put lots of pressure on Troy Williams (14/31 163) who could not take advantage of key defensive stops. Joe Williams (35-172 4.9 1 TD) basically matched wits with Gaskin, as the contest came down to special teams. I almost feel sorry for Cal, who last Thursday night was picked apart by USC 45-24 at the LA Coliseum. Ronald Jones II ran for 223 yards on just 18 carries (12.4) and 2 TD's while leading a ground attack that went wild for 398 of the Trojans 629 total yards. Aca'Cedric Ware added 130 on 20 carries (6.5), and Sam Darnold (18/25 231 5 TD 1 INT) endured one of his best games of the season. Darnold threw 4 unanswered scores en route to an early 21-0 lead as Darreus Rogers (6-97 2 TD) proved too much for the swiss cheese Cal secondary. Davis Webb (34/53 333 2 TD 1 INT) was forced by the USC defense into a near one dimensional play plan. The Golden Bears were limited to just 142 yards on the ground, 89 of them on 15 carries (5.9) by Khalifani Muhammad. There were 7 turnovers in the matchup, 4 of them by USC. However Cal could not take advantage with the final outcome virtually never in doubt.

Browning (130/192 1895 28 TD 3 INT) is one of the nation's best in yards per pass and TD to INT ratio that unquestionably has kept him in the Heisman conversation, not to mention his Huskies qualifying for a National Championship. Despite not coming off his best effort against one of the nation's more respected and talented defenses, he should do some major damage this weekend with a chip on his shoulder. Ross (38-534 11 TD) and Pettis (29-470 8 TD) are a solid one two punch in the receiving core, and the latter also thrives in special teams situations. Equally more impressive and staggering in this offense, which averages 46 points and 474 yards per contest, is the ground game. Gaskin (135-878 6.5 7 TD) is coming off his best effort since the 70-21 crucifying of Oregon, and now has 4 straight 100 yard+ efforts. While there isn't as much depth, Gaskin accounts for more than half Washington's touches and yards. Against the porous Cal rush defense, however, Gaskin has a prime opportunity to produce some attention-grabbing numbers. Cal is giving up 287 yards per game on the ground, the most in the nation and 506 overall coupled with 42 points per contest. You think they're ready to run up the score? Yes style points do matter. Add to the equation that this Huskies squad is just as if not even more up tempo as Cal, and you have a recipe for disaster as long as you keep Browning and company on the field long enough.

Webb (259/415 2914 29 TD 8 INT) could pose a challenge for Washington with Cal's 4th ranked passing game in the nation. Chad Hansen (59-770 8 TD) however is nursing an ankle injury which means Webb could use Demetris Robinson (35-469 6 TD) and Melquise Stovall (39-396 3 TD) as his primary targets. Washington's defense is certainly no slouch yielding about 330 yards and 16 points per contest. Another huge disparity is that Cal doesn't nearly rely much with the run averaging about 171 yards per contest, about the same as the Huskies allow. Tre Watson (90-484 5.4 2 TD) is the primary back behind Webb. Watson has just 2 hundred yard efforts while Webb has led the charge 5 times into the end zone calling his own number. Washington could have left guard Jake Eldrenkamp and outside linebacker Joe Mathis back to put some additional pressure on Webb. The Huskies secondary has allowed just 7 TD passes in 8 games and could make a huge statement en route to getting themselves back into championship consideration. 

The Huskies bring in an overall 11 game winning streak, second longest in the FBS overall. Browning and Gaskin will have their way against the California undersized and overmatched defense. Additionally, Webb will face a test from the Washington pass defense and will be forced to throw on the majority of downs. There's no running game to look for protection, and Browning will use that advantage methodically mixing up the passing and running game with far more successful drives, winding an already depleted California front seven and corners downfield. 

I'll have another Saturday selection as we try to mercifully end this 6 game slide.

[Mofome]

Bol on the huskies Jimmy!

[Mofome]

The hot streak starts tomorrow!

[rcrowe4444]

good luck jimmy

[KingRevolver]

Jimmy will turn it around. Always does.

 

Thanks, pal.

[Guest pocketrockets]

BOL

[Yanks]

Good luck jimmy

[jimmythegreek]

adding:

Western Kentucky -34 over Florida International

best of luck to all in week 10

YTD 8-8 .500