The Huskies have exceeded expectations in 2011 but now they must go to a whole other level. Can they hang with Andrew Luck and the Cardinal? Al Dannity breaks down the big Pac-12 game of the weekend.
Keith Price should be on Heisman watch-lists Remember Jake Locker? You know the Washington quarterback who was the sole hope for the program and was a first round draft pick in April? Yeah, the Huskies are doing just fine without him.
Riding a 5-1 record on the season, Washington hit Stanford this weekend for a chance to show just how well the post-Locker era is going. Much of the Huskies’ success is down to the energetic play of new quarterback Keith Price. Having become a viral video sensation in the spring, Price is showing he’s more than just an internet star. Price is completing 69.4 percent of his passes and owns a 21-4 touchdown to interception ratio. What he lacks in the physical tools NFL draftniks loved about Locker, he more than makes up for with on-field efficiency.
Finally an enemy worth fighting It’s been an unusual ride for the Stanford Cardinal in 2011. Not only are they unbeaten all year; Andrew Luck and company have been wholly untested. It’s one thing to be unbeaten, it’s another to be perfect against the spread. Regular double-digit favorites, the Cardinal have crushed all before them. On Saturday they can finally lay their eyes on a quality opponent.
Even without Shayne Skov, the Cardinal are deservedly favored against the #25 Huskies. With three projected first round picks in the 2012 draft, including Andrew Luck, this is an intimidating offense. The real questions will however be left to the defense. Can they force Price into mistakes? Will Chris Polk find gaps to run? College Football betting fans want to know just what this unit can do.
The verdict A fast start will be vital for Washington to stay in this game. I like Price to pressure Stanford early but keeping the Huskies competitive to half-time would be an achievement in and of itself. Stanford possess simply too much talent for even an organised team like Washington to cope.
With a national audience watching and poll voters to impress, the Cardinal know the importance of dominating a ranked foe. I like Stanford to take command in the second quarter and punish the Huskies in the second half. It’s nothing personal, it’s just business. I like Stanford to win as -21.0 favorites.
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