Husky Football Mailbag: That Just Happened Edition
The Spartans have the following games left on their schedule: Minnesota, Maryland, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana, and Penn State. They need to go a minimum of 3-2 in games against top-20 opponents. ESPN’s FPI rankings show that Washington has a 9.6% chance of winning the Pac-12 title. Washington is a heavy favorite in the remaining games. The only game where Washington will be an underdog is at Oregon. If Washington wins 3 out of the 4 games, they will have at least 9 wins. The other games are against UCLA, Cal, Oregon State and Washington State with a 61-72% chances of victory.
The Husky pass coverage is generally acceptable. The most explosive plays in the passing game that Washington has given up were off schedule. Michigan State's big plays don't fit that description. ESPN missed the snap on the 4th quarter. Tuputala had to be responsible for that. On the last MSU touchdown, inside linebacker Cam Bright ended up in man-to-man coverage against the best receiver. He actually did a good job running with him. If the ball is underthrown, it's an interception. It's the alignment rather than the coverage that's a problem. Washington needs to win 12 games to keep their Don James statue.
The hope is that the pass coverage improves significantly or that pass rushing gets consistent enough to cover up deficiencies in pass defence.
Tuputala had to be responsible for the mistake on the 4th down play. ESPN missed the snap. On the last MSU touchdown, inside linebacker Cam Bright was playing against Michigan State’s best receiver. He had help over the top. The alignment was wrong. Washington rushed 4 so they had two extra defenders out there. Both safeties helped on corner routes. It's on Morrell to make sure that if one of his linebackers is responsible to cover the opponent”s top receiver on a go route, he has to have help.
On the pass where the defender fell down, did the receiver not run the correct route?
