Washington Football: Opener vs. Auburn has serious playoff implications

Auburn and Washington football will open the season with one of the most intriguing matchups. Here’s everything you need to know.

In terms of sheer excitement, this may be the best game on the Week 1 schedule. Auburn comes into this game hoping to end their two-game losing streak in the Mercedes-Benz Dome, after losing the SEC title game and the Peach Bowl here to end last season.

Must Read: What can Washington expect of Auburn?

The Huskies come into 2018 with a very experienced defensive unit and boast arguably the best secondary in the country. With Myles Gaskin in the backfield, the offense should have a lot of opportunities to put up points in this game.

Gaskins scored 21 times last season, setting a Huskies single-season record. He averaged over 6.0 yards per carry and could become an even bigger threat in the passing game if Jake Browning returns to his 2016 form.

Auburn was a force to be reckoned with during the regular season, as they beat both Alabama and Georgia (while each team was ranked No. 1), in a span of three weeks. Jarrett Stidham could be an All-SEC performer and will be a major test for the Huskies secondary.

Both of these teams want to set themselves up for the College Football Playoff discussion with a quality win in Week 1, so it should be a heck of a game.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Auburn vs. Washington game:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 1
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Dome
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Washington is the higher ranked team, but I think the casual fan is sleeping on how talented the Tigers are. In order for the Huskies to pull out the win, they will need to get consistent pressure on Stidham, and not give him time to sit back and pick their talented secondary apart.

If Myles Gaskin gets 20-plus touches we could be looking at Heisman worthy performance, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him find the end zone two times on such a big stage.

Auburn will need to protect Stidham. They do not want it to be anywhere near as disastrous as their out of conference matchup against Clemson last year where they gave up 11(!) sacks. If he can’t find time to get the ball to the Tigers receivers the offense will have a hard time moving the chains.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Auburn defensive line could make things frustrating for Gaskin. I expect him to get the ball early, where he will have to deal with Derrick Brown, who is the third leading tackler returning to the defense.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Oddshark

Point Spread: Auburn -3
Over/Under: 48

Prediction

I can’t wait for this game to kickoff! SEC football gets a lot of hate for not showing up in the big games, but the Tigers will be ready to send a message to Alabama and Georgia, that they will again be in contention for the SEC and College Football Playoff championships.

Washington will jump out to an early 10 point lead, but the Auburn rushing attack led by Kam Martin will get them back in the game. After the first half adjustments are made Gus Malzahn will turn things over to Stidham, who will make the Huskies defense look pedestrian.

A late run by Washington will cut the lead to 7, but Gaskins won’t have much running room and the offense will be out of rhythm for most of the contest. It will end as a convincing Auburn victory.

Final Score: Auburn 35, Washington 24