The Washington football program and quarterback Jake Browning could use a dominant effort in Week 2 against the Montana Grizzlies.
The No. 8 ranked Washington Huskies did not get the outcome expected against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Week 1. The Huskies went into New Jersey, hoping to replicate, if not top, the result they saw vs. Rutgers in the 2016 season. They won, but it was too close for comfort for much of the first half.
However, this is a new week and Washington faces a team that they can build some real momentum by playing. Montana is the only FCS opponent that the Huskies face this year. They should take real advantage of that.
Washington defeated Rutgers by a 16-point margin when they were expected to win by 28 points. Much of that is contributed to inconsistent play from junior quarterback Jake Browning. He completed a little more than half his passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
Browning actually ended up with the same quarterback rating as Rutgers quarterback Kyle Bolin by the end of the game. And Bolin threw two interceptions while Browning did not. Husky fans expect better out of someone we though would be a Heisman contender.
The good news for Browning is he has two more chances to find his way. After this game against Montana, Washington faces the Fresno State Bulldogs, who will be fresh off a matchup with No. 1 Alabama. Those two games against Fresno State and Montana are the easiest games on tap for the Huskies in 2017.
Once PAC-12 play begins, Browning will have to be in a consistent groove. He did not look like the quarterback that we all saw throw 43 touchdown passes one season ago. That could be partly due to the departure of receiver John Ross to the NFL.
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It could also be a shoulder injury that Browning experienced last year that required surgery early in the offseason. If he has permanent damage in his throwing shoulder, that would be a bigger problem for Browning and Washington. For the time being, we’ll see how he does in an easy matchup in Week 2.