Analysis

Big Ten Picks: Washington Huskies Look to Rebound After Underwhelming Apple Cup

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Demond Williams Jr. and the Washington Huskies hope to post a more convincing victory over Utah State on Saturday. (Credit: Scott Ekund/Red Box Pictures/Washington Athletics) [/caption]

SEATTLE — A win is a win, but it was less simple than that on Sunday when the Huskies won the Apple Cup.

Washington looks to put some meat on what is essentially a three-game preseason sandwich when Utah State visits Husky Stadium. UW struggled to run the ball in the season opener against Washington State, in part due to a lackluster performance by what is expected to be a solid offensive line.

The Huskies, down their top two running backs, will look to get more production from the big guys up front. Washington led just 10-7 in the fourth quarter before pulling away for a 24-10 win against WSU, mostly via the passing game.

“We've got to improve greatly, and the guys understand that very clearly, and they understood it before that game was over,” UW offensive line coach Michael Switzer said Tuesday. “So, understanding, looking back at the game, what we need to improve upon, what we need to focus on, and how we need to get our mindset ready for Utah State.”

A particular Apple Cup play definitely stuck out to Switzer. Leading 10-0, Washington faced fourth-and-goal at the 1 with a chance to take a 17-0 at the half. Instead, the line broke down and Cougars linebacker Jerry Brown stuffed UW running back Jayden Limar on the last play of the second quarter.

“Very, very, very disappointing — it's embarrassing,” Switzer said. “Coach (Jedd Fisch) said the same thing. You look at the matchups, we've got five for five across. We've got a slider coming across. We miss on our frontside guard, and backside guard and tackle aren't physical in terms of climbing to the second level.

“I've watched that play countless times since Sunday, and yeah, it makes you sick. So, how would I describe it? Very poorly executed up front by an offensive line that says they want to be something. Well, we got to stop talking about it and be about it.”

Washington will host Eastern Washington on Sept. 19 before opening Big Ten play against Minnesota at home in Week 4.

Big Ten Picks

Speaking of embarrassing, it was a tough week for my picks against the spread. We’ll attempt to be more about it this week.

All games Saturday unless noted otherwise. Lines courtesy of BetMGM.

Rutgers (0-1) +3 at Boston College (0-1)
4:30 p.m., Friday, ESPN

Is this the best game ESPN2 could find? Sadly, yes. Keep reading and count up the must-watch games.
Pick: Boston College 26, Rutgers 20

Howard (1-1) +56.5 at No. 5 Indiana (1-0)
9 a.m., BTN

Howard University is in Washington DC, so the Bison have a front-row seat to learn how to accomplish very little.
Pick: Indiana 57-0

No. 6 Oregon (1-0) -23.5 at Oklahoma State (0-1)
9 a.m., ESPN

The other OSU might put up more of a fight.
Pick: Oregon 38-14

No. 11 Oklahoma (1-0) -5.5 at Michigan (1-0-ish)
9 a.m., FOX

The clock is ticking on Bryce Underwood. Last week’s controversy overshadowed how awful the highly-paid sophomore played in a, uh, “win” over Western Michigan.
Pick: Oklahoma 20, Michigan 10

No. 16 Penn State (1-0) -24.5 at Temple (1-0)
9 a.m., ESPN2

Penn State really agreed to a home-and-home with Temple? That deal was apparently made in a different college football era (2018).

Pick: Penn State 45, Temple 17

Wake Forest (1-0) -3 at Purdue (1-0)
9 a.m. FS1

Is this the best game FS1 could find for this time slot? Sadly, yes.
Pick: Wake Forest 24, Purdue 20

Mississippi State (1-0) -1.5 at Minnesota (1-0)
12:30 p.m., CBS

This is a pretty solid SEC vs. Big Ten test for both teams, and get ready for the winner’s conference to crow.
Pick: Minnesota 21, Mississippi State 20

Duke (1-0) +6 at Illinois (1-0)
12:30 p.m., FS1

This would be one hell of a basketball game. The football game might be a tough watch.
Pick: Illinois 17, Duke 10

Eastern Michigan (1-1) +17.5 at Michigan State (1-0)
12:30 p.m., BTN

I picked an upset of Michigan State last week. I wasn’t wrong — just early.

Pick: Eastern Michigan 27, Michigan State 25

Maryland (1-0) -11.5 at UConn (1-0)
12:30 p.m., CBSSN

I know Maryland beat Hampton 62-0 last week, but I don’t think the Terrapins are for real.
Pick: UConn 28, Maryland 27

Bowling Green (0-1) +30.5 at Nebraska (1-0)
4 p.m., FS1

I still don’t believe in Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers should look good again this week.
Pick: Nebraska 41-10

San Diego State (1-0) +12.5 at UCLA (1-0)
4:15 p.m., BTN

UCLA has finally decided to hire a football coach who is prepared to coach football this decade.
Pick: UCLA 38, SDSU 24

Western Illinois (1-1) +39.5 at Wisconsin (0-1)
4:15 p.m., BTN

The Badgers actually played someone last week (Notre Dame) and should be ready for this one.
Pick: Wisconsin 49-7

No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) +1.5 at No. 4 Texas (1-0)
4:30 p.m., CBS

Apparently Arch Manning worked on his mechanics during the offseason. It must have been tough for him to find someone to help him with that before this year. I assumed an Ohio State loss before the season started, but now I find myself not trusting Sark in a game like this.
Pick: Ohio State 29-28 (OT)

Iowa State (1-0) -14 at Iowa (1-0)
4:30 p.m., NBC

A 14-point spread is a lot for an Iowa team that sometimes struggles to score 14.
Pick: Iowa 16-9

Louisiana (1-0) +31.5 at No. 14 USC (2-0)
8 p.m., BTN

USC looked very good last week, and these are the types of teams the Trojans typically crush.
Pick: USC 49-10

The Pick

Utah State +27.5 at No. 19 Washington
12:30 p.m., BTN

Washington will be without running backs Quaid Carr (for the foreseeable future) and Jayden Limar (likely for several weeks). Sixth-year senior Trey Cooley will get a lot of run in this one. Brian Bonner Jr., one of the top 2026 recruits, is likely to get his first action. He was unable to crack the top three coming out of camp, so will he be ready? Fellow freshman Ansu Sanoe, a bruiser, is also likely to get some meaningful carries.

Look for the offensive line to rebound from last week’s “embarrassing” performance.

Washington 54, Utah State 10