Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College Football: Grading each top 10 team’s Week 1 performance

By George Wrighster III

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Johnnie Dixon #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Johnnie Dixon #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 01: Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies celebrates with teammates after he returned a punt for a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter of a game on September 1, 2017 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 01: Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies celebrates with teammates after he returned a punt for a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter of a game on September 1, 2017 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

No. 8 Washington beat Rutgers 30-14

Offense: C-
Defense: B+
Overall: C+

It took Jake Browning and Co. nearly three full quarters to take control of a game against Rutgers. The running game has to be the engine for the Huskies’ offense. Outside of a couple runs by Gaskin, Washington’s offense never showed flashes of an elite offense.

The Huskies were only able to rush for a disappointing 84 yards on 24 carries against the Scarlet Knights. Browning finished the game with a respectable 284 and two touchdowns, but it was disappointing considering the competition.

The Huskies defense saved the day. When the offense couldn’t get anything going, they held Rutgers offense at bay. Every time the Scarlet Knights threatened, the Washington defense showed up with a sack or turnover. I was impressed with the way Chris Peterson’s team has reloaded on defense after losing so many starters to the NFL.

Overall, this was an underwhelming performance by a team people not named George Wrighster believe is a national championship contender.

Home/College Football News