Taking a break from Pac-12 play, Washington football will look to remain hot after a season-opening loss, taking on BYU in Week 5.
Washington dropped a hard-fought game against Auburn to kick off the 2018 season. Their loss removed them from the national spotlight but the Huskies have continued to persevere. They’re perfect since opening weekend and should be able to continue their winning ways against BYU in Week 5.
Can the Cougars pull off their second stunning upset of the season, or will Washington once again blow past an overmatched non-conference opponent at home?
3. Tanner Mangum has nightmare game vs. Washington defense
The BYU offense isn’t going to blow anyone away. The Cougars have hit the under on 10 of their last 13 road games, a mark not likely to change in Week 5. Part of the problem has been Tanner Mangum’s woes at quarterback.
The senior has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his last 16 games and hasn’t had a multi-touchdown game against a Power 5 opponent since he threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns against Utah in December of 2015. The ceiling for Mangum is low, but the floor is lower.
The Washington defense is going to eat Mangum alive. If the Cougars can’t get things going on the ground the chances of Mangum being better than poor are slim to none with abysmal the most likely outcome for the troubled quarterback on Saturday.