One Down, Two to Go!

Last night, the Husky football team closed out their home schedule with a 24-7 win over UCLA.  The defense had their best performance of the season and the team closed out the game like they needed to to get a victory.  Over the next two weeks, I plan on writing a few posts on the Husky seniors, but for today I want to address the biggest question left on this season: Can this team make a bowl game?

The Huskies sit at 4-6 right now with two games remaining.  Obviously, the Huskies have to win the next two to assure themselves a spot in the post-season.  They can do this.  They play an inconsistent Cal team and then a Cougar team, that is improving but is still the worst team in the conference.  Last night was a good team effort by the Huskies but I’m still not feeling very confident in our chances.  These things have to improve:

• The defensive line needs to continue to improve. Last night, the Dawgs d-line played their best half of the season, in the second half.  Ta’amu and Jamora made 12 tackles combined and there was some penetration.  Yes, UCLA’s offense in the second half was absolutely terrible but some of the credit has to go to the Huskies defense for that.  These lineman have to keep getting better and cause penetration.  They face a tough task next week against Cal and Shane Vereen but expect the gameplan for the defense to be much like it was against UCLA, forcing Cal to throw.
• Keep the Rushing Attack Going. If the Huskies run for over 250 yards in each of their next games, I like their chances.  This will especially be essential against WSU, in a freezing game that will be all about running the football.  Sark needs to make a commitment to running the football often over the next 2 games, much like he did in the second half.  Also, as Locker gets more healthy I think they need to let him run more.  These are the last 2 games he has.  I think he would agree with me here.
• Converting 3rd and Shorts. This was the most frustrating part of the game yesterday.  I don’t know how many third and shorts the Huskies had but I can only think of them converting on one of them.  It’s probably more but it didn’t feel like it.  The play calling needs to be more creative on 3rd and short and the players need to execute better.
• Colin Porter needs to start. This is the most questionable of these points, but, in my opinion, the offensive line is clearly better when he’s in the game.  He was in most of the second half when the running game really got going and was in the game on the first touchdown drive also.  Christine is a leader and gives an all out effort, but Porter is just better.  It seems like this has been the case all season.

Surely, there are other keys but these are the ones I can think of without getting extremely obvious.  That’s all for now, have a good weekend and thanks for reading!

Andrew