Washington football will miss out on competing for the Pac-12 Championship, but they also made sure in-state rival Washington State would too.
The Huskies claimed a decisive victory over the Cougars Saturday night, 41-14, in the latest edition of the Apple Cup.
Myles Gaskin ran for 192 yards and scored four touchdowns, with 113 of that coming in the opening half. Jake Browning was efficient despite losing top receiver Dante Pettis to an injury early, completing 11 of 17 for 93 yards.
And that defense of Washington (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12) was all over the field, forcing several short throws by Washington State (9-3, 6-3) quarterback Luke Falk in the first half. Falk did get on track in the fourth quarter, completing 36 of 54 for 366 yards with three interceptions and a touchdown pass.
The Cougars also ran for negative yards when Falk’s numbers were factored in from a handful of sacks. Because of this result, it will be Stanford representing the Pac-12 North against South division champion Southern Cal.
1. Myles Gaskin is so underrated
Gaskin, a junior, has been a steady cog in the Washington offense since his arrival three years ago. As a freshman, Gaskin stepped right in and ran for 1,302 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He followed that performance up with 1,373 yards and 10 scores a year ago.
But time and time again, he has been overshadowed.
First it was Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and Oregon’s Royce Freeman stealing the headlines. This year, Bryce Love jumped to the forefront of Heisman talk out West and left Gaskin to just pile up yard after yard after yard.
He was second in the conference a season ago in rushing and is currently seventh. Gaskin has recorded at least 100 yards in six games this season, including four of his last five.
2. Huskies return to form on defense
What’s the biggest difference between Washington from last year to this?
The defense.
Facing Washington State, though, the Huskies flashed that brilliance from a season ago, silencing Falk and company. Washington started the year off on the right foot, holding the first nine opponents they faced under 20 points, but they have struggled in the two weeks prior.
Stanford recorded 30 points in a win that will now keep them out of the conference championship game, with Utah posting 30 in a losing effort a week ago.
Last year, the Huskies didn’t allow a single opponent to score over 28 points in 14 games, and that high came in overtime. Even Alabama had just 24 in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
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3. Would Leach be better off leaving?
If Mike Leach decides to ignore other job opportunities and return to Washington State, I for one will be happy. But would both program and coach be better off separating? It’s hard to say what would happen to the Cougars without Leach running the show.
Prior to Leach’s arrival in 2012, the school won nine games in four seasons and had not recorded a winning record since 2003 when they went 10-3 and captured the Holiday Bowl under Bill Doba.
Leach, meanwhile, has posted three consecutive winning seasons and won the Sun Bowl in 2015. His coaching style is different. His interview style is different. His game-planning is different.
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But Leach has turned around two programs and is a proven winner at the college level. No matter where he turns up with his pirate memorable, you can bet victories and passing yards will be aplenty.