Pac-12 Football 2017: 5 teams that will be on upset alert in Week 4
By Zach Bigalke
The rematch of the 2016 Pac-12 championship game will be played in Boulder. Yet it is Washington who take to the road as 10.5-point favorites. Both teams have played marginal non-conference schedules. Even so, the Huskies are the No. 7 team in the country while Colorado remains in the realm of those also receiving votes.
But at this point it is hard to tell much difference between the Huskies and the Buffaloes at this point of the season. Steven Montez factors ahead of Jake Browning in passing stats among Pac-12 quarterbacks. Despite less starting experience, the Colorado quarterback is outplaying the Washington passer at this point of 2017.
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Both teams are playing solid defense, which could lead to a defensive showdown in this year’s game. Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman are going to find it hard to gain yards consistently against a top-30 rushing defense. In the title game last year, Washington did not take a decisive lead until the third quarter. The Huskies could have a harder time pulling away this year.
Colorado has one of the best defenses in the country at getting back the football, ranking 14th nationally in turnovers generated. Washington has been great at protecting the football so far, but they have not yet played such a tough defense. The Buffaloes have already played one close game, their 17-3 opening win over Colorado State. If it stays close on Saturday in Boulder, Washington’s inexperience in such situations could prove costly.