Washington Huskies
Pacific-12 Conference
A promising start to the 2011 season, with wins over five of their first six opponents, the season took a turn for the worse with losses in four out of the final six games. The Huskies were deemed bowl-eligible after their week eight matchup against Arizona, but only won one game after that, in the Apple Cup against Washington State. With Stanford and Oregon both looking to play in a BCS game, and USC being ruled ineligible for postseason play, Washington will move up in the ranks of potential Pac-12 bowl appearances. They will likely draw a formidable opponent and have a difficult matchup this bowl season.
2011 Record: 7-5 (5-4)
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Holiday Bowl vs. Nebraska (W 19-7)
Big Wins: 9/24 California (31-24), 10/1 at Utah (31-14)
Bad Losses: 9/17 at Nebraska (38-51), 11/19 Oregon State (21-38)
Coach: Steve Sarkisian (19-18 at Washington, 19-18 overall)
Bowl Record: 1-0 at Washington, 1-0 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Doug Nussmeier
Defensive Coordinator: Nick Holt
Strengths:
A healthy quarterback in Keith Price adds a dimension to the Huskies that is difficult to quantify. Price was ranked, over the first several weeks of the season, in the top 5 of FBS quarterbacks in touchdowns thrown. Price also has the ability to run, but does not overuse the ability, which keeps defenses honest in their schemes. Behind him is running back Chris Polk. A preseason All-American, Polk has lived up to the expectations and is currently 16th in rushing yards per game. Polk had a streak of 18 games of rushing for over 100 yards broken this season, and then quickly picked back up and rushed for 110 and 105 respectively in his final two games.
Weaknesses:
Defense, defense, defense. The talk around the University of Washington all season has been the job security of Defensive Coordinator Nick Holt. Although a well-respected man, Holt’s defensive unit has not performed well this season. The Huskies have allowed more than 23 points to every opponent this year, except two. They allowed an average of 33 points per game, ranking them 100th in the FBS. Their pass defense tops that number by being ranked 115th (out of a possible 120), in yards allowed per game. They rank 56th in sacks as they do not put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, giving the passers time to pick the secondary apart. Against Eastern Washington, an FCS opponent, the Huskies allowed 473 yards on 39 completions.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Chris Polk, RB, 1,341 yards
Passing: Keith Price, QB, 2,625 yards
Receiving: Devin Aguilar, WR, 521 yards
Tackles: Cort Dennison, LB, 113
Sacks: Josh Shirley, DE, 5.5
Interceptions: Sean Parker, S, 4
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 240.33 (51st in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 240.33 (51, 8)
Total Offense: 392.33 (57, 9)
Scoring Offense: 31.50 (37, 5)
Rushing Defense: 142.58 (54, 6)
Pass Defense: 283.75 (115, 11)
Total Defense: 426.33 (95, 10)
Scoring Defense: 33.33 (100, 10)
Turnover Margin: .17 (44, 6)
Sacks: 1.92 (56, 9)
Sacks Allowed: 2.83 (102, 11)
