College Football Preview: #6 Washington vs #9 Auburn

[caption id="attachment_127117" align="aligncenter" width="4204"] SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)[/caption]rn College Football returns with a unique top-10 matchup that could sink a season rnWe hear a lot about east coast bias and how it seems the Pac 12 doesn't get the recognition that it might deserve. Well, the Washington Huskies have the chance to make a statement for themselves and their entire conference. They are traveling down to the south to face one of the SEC's top schools, Auburn.rnrnWashington has a really solid chance to make the College Football Playoffs this year but they have a tough early test.rnrnAuburn is attempting to unseat Georgia and Alabama who are atop the SEC hierarchy. Both teams are coming off bowl games where they walked away with a loss.rnrnThe Huskies lost to the Big Ten's Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl last year and are looking to rebound back into the top-four conversation. The Tigers lost to the AAC's UCF in the Peach Bowl, which led to the Knight's undefeated season as the unofficial National Champions.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Washington%20Players%20To%20Watch" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_135704" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies talks with quarterback Jake Browning #3 during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Washington Players To Watch rn Jake Browning - Quarterback rnThe senior quarterback has plenty of big game experience to lead his offense against one of the better defensive lines in the country. He has some young receivers to throw to but for as inexperienced as they are, they are just as talented. His offensive line, boosted by Trey Adams, should allow him to stay clean and find some open receivers. In 2016, Browning threw for 43 touchdowns but followed that up in 2017 with only 19 and no, he was not hurt. He has to come out and prove he can perform at his 2016 level on his own merit instead of throwing to a crop of early-round wide receivers. He might be one of college football's best-kept secrets. rn Myles Gaskin - Running Back rnA dark horse Heisman candidate is the Huskies senior running back, Myles Gaskin. He has rushed for at least 1,300 yards on the pavement every year in school and last year rushed for a career-high 21 touchdowns. Last year Auburn had the sixth-ranked rushing defense but Gaskin can benefit from the Husky offensive line too. The biggest impact Gaskin could provide is in the passing game. With the young group of receivers, Coach Petersen and Browning may find a boost in Gaskin.rn Tayler Rapp - Safety rnMany analysts and fans alike consider Washington to have the best secondary in the nation. With Auburn's fast-paced offense, Rapp and his cohorts are looking to disrupt the timing of Guz Malzahn's no-huddle. The 2017 First-Team All-Pac 12 player can make an impact big enough to affect the outcome of this game.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Auburn%20Players%20To%20Watch" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_131070" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Jarrett Stidham[/caption]rn Auburn Players To Watch rn Jarrett Stidham - Quarterback rnThis will be Stidham's second full season as the starter for Auburn after transferring in from Baylor. His debut season for the Tigers included over 3,100 yards through the air along with 18 touchdowns. He added 156 rushing yards and four touchdown scampers but also had 103 rushing attempts. That number is way too high and if Stidham wants to do what is best for his team, he needs to take better care of his body. Stidham is battling a shoulder injury so we will see if he can stay in the game. Washington's strength lies in its defense and will be eyeing Stidham. The Auburn quarterback could emerge as one of the top prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft.rn Ryan Davis - Wide Receiver rnDavis was the leading receiver for Auburn last year with 815 yards on 84 catches with five touchdowns. The senior will be looked at by his quarterback to jumpstart the offense. Kerryon Johnson is now a pro in Detroit so the offense will need to find a replacement for the key offensive player. Davis can be just that.rn Deshaun Davis - Linebacker rn2017's leading tackler is back for his senior year and he is a big factor for the defense. Davis has a nose for the ball and if the Washington offense plans to run the ball with Gaskin, they have to get a hat on Davis. It won't be easy since Auburn's front seven is littered with weapons. Davis should be able to shed one-on-one blocks and track down Gaskin. Davis was also second on the team with four and a half sacks on the season.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Washington%20Keys%20To%20Victory" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_135015" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies warms up prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Washington Keys To Victory rn Control Line Of Scrimmage rnThe biggest matchup will be Washington's offensive line versus the defensive line of Auburn. The Huskies have two potential 2019 first rounders in their two tackles but the Tigers return all three starters from last year's squad. Trey Adams and Kaleb McGary need to keep the pocket clean and open holes for the run game if Washington is to have a chance of leaving Atlanta victorious. Adams is questionable to play in the game and that would be huge if he is not there.rn 2016 Jake Browning rnBrowning finished sixth in the 2016 Heisman trophy voting but injuries caused a big dropoff in 2017. He was throwing to guys like John Ross and Dante Pettis in 2016 so can Browning perform without them? Junior receiver Aaron Fuller provides a home run threat and needs to step into that lead receiver role. If Browning does come out slinging it, Washington will start 2018 off the way they plan.rn Get Gaskin Into The Open Field rnRunning back Myles Gaskin is the most dangerous in space. With the defensive front of Auburn, the best shot at getting Gaskin going is involving him in the passing attack. Flare outs, screens, and banana routes are should all be utilized to get the ball in the offense's best playmaker.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Auburn%20Keys%20To%20Victory" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_135702" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers talks to his quarterback, Jarrett Stidham #8, prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Auburn Keys To Victory rn Get After Browning rnAuburn needs to get to Jake Browning early and often to slow down the Husky offense. T.D. Moultry and Nick Coe should provide the main pass rush in the Auburn 3-4. If they can channel their inner Jeff Holland and disrupt Browning's rhythm then Auburn will be in good shape.rn Find A New Running Game rnKam Martin and JaTarvious Whitlow are the two key backs for Auburn in 2018. Kerryon Johnson left after a junior year that saw him fall just shy of 1,400 yards on the ground. He was also responsible for 18 rushing touchdowns a year ago. Martin and Whitlow are relatively unproven but Martin was the second leading rusher last year with 453 yards. Auburn's rushing game has been the key to a lot of their wins recently so it will bode well if they can get it going against Washington.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Predictions" /]rnrn rnrn rn Predictions rnWith Trey Adams' status for the game up in the air, Washington's offense needs to have a great game plan to counter Auburn's defensive line. This game will be won in the trenches and for Washington's sake, Adams better be there.rnrn[related-category /]rnrnThe big guys up front will allow the playmakers behind them to do what they do. If the Huskies have their entire offensive line available, this will be a heavyweight battle that will come down to the final possession.rnrnAs a whole, Washington's roster and talent are more attractive than Auburn's. It could come down to defense and who can create more turnovers. With Stidham banged up, the purple and gold defense should take advantage and slow down the high-speed attack.rn Final Score: Washington 17 Auburn 14

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College Football Preview: #6 Washington vs #9 Auburn

College Football returns with a unique top-10 matchup that could sink a season

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