Washington Football: 3 bold predictions for Pac-12 title rematch vs. Colorado

2. Steven Montez will outshine Jake Browning in quarterback duel

When these two teams met last year, Steven Montez was still backing up Sefo Liufau. He entered the game on a couple of drives, going 5-of-12 for 60 yards and adding 11 yards on three carries. On a night when both teams struggled to pass the ball, Montez finished with the best yards per attempt and completion percentage. He was not only better than Liufau but also Washington’s Jake Browning.

In the Pac-12 Championship Game, Browning threw two touchdown passes. But he also completed just nine of his two dozen attempts and managed to rack up just 118 yards in the air. Both teams have lost some major talent in their respective secondaries, however, and this weekend’s encounter looks like it could be a shootout.

In terms of passing, Montez is going to outshine Browning once again. Not only will his averages look better, but in a full game against a rebuilt Washington defensive backfield Montez will throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.

Whether that will be enough to avoid another defeat to the Huskies is another question. But in terms of the quarterback duel, Montez will end the game at Folsom Field as the better of the two passers that will take the field on Saturday night.