Oregon opponent early scouting report: Washington

Rose Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Washington Huskies

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Brendon White (25) tackles Washington Huskies wide receiver Aaron Fuller (2) after his first quarter catch,Tuesday, January 1, 2019. (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer

We’re taking an early look at Oregon’s opponents for the 2019 regular season. This 12-part series will feature analysis and insight from beat reporters who cover the teams Oregon will play this year.

Washington

Game date & time: Husky Stadium, Oct. 19

2018 record: (10-4, 7-2 Pac-12)

Coach: Chris Petersen, 14th year overall and 6th at Washington (139-33 overall, 47-21 at Washington)

Returning starters: 7 offense, 2 defense, 2 specialists

Most important returning players: QB Jacob Eason, RB Salvon Ahmed, WR Aaron Fuller, WR Ty Jones, OT Trey Adams, DB Myles Bryant

Most critical departures: QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin, OT Kaleb McGary, DT Greg Gaines, LB Ben Burr-Kirven, CB Byron Murphy, S Taylor Rapp, DB Jojo McIntosh

Insight from Seattle Times Washington beat reporter Mike Vorel (@MikeVorel):

1) Is there any way Jacob Eason is not the starter?

Vorel: “Honestly? Probably not. Eason — a junior Georgia transfer and former five-star in-state product — shared starting quarterback reps with sophomore Jake Haener throughout the spring. And, though many UW fans might not like to hear it, the competition was relatively even. Eason made more big plays (and fewer big mistakes) but was less consistently accurate. Still, the 6-foot-6 junior closed with his strongest week of the spring, and it would be a shock if he doesn’t start against Eastern Washington on Aug. 31. Don’t expect Chris Petersen to say that any time soon, even if he believes it. This competition will stretch deep into training camp. But ultimately, Eason provides this offense with unparalleled downfield opportunities that the Huskies didn’t have last season with Jake Browning under center. We’ll see if he lives up to some astronomical expectations.”

2) Is Salvon Ahmed prepared to get 15+ carries each week?

Vorel: “He certainly has the athleticism to do that. A 5-11, 193-pound junior running back, Ahmed posted a 4.32-second 40-yard-dash this spring and accumulated 996 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 6.0 yards per carry in his first two seasons as Miles Gaskin’s back up. But there are unsurprisingly questions about whether a lighter back can handle that work load. The good news is that he probably won’t need to. The Huskies also have confidence in running backs Sean McGrew, Kamari Pleasant and Richard Newton, and true freshman Cameron Davis could add a punch as well. Ahmed will undoubtedly be the headliner, but expect a committee of running backs to replace Gaskin’s reps (and production?) this fall.”

3) With so many departures across the defense, what are the biggest concerns for that unit before the season?

Vorel: “The most glaring concerns lie on the second level, where UW will be tasked with replacing Ben Burr-Kirven, Tevis Bartlett and D.J. Beavers. That trio of linebackers contributed a combined 265 tackles in 2018. Besides senior Brandon Wellington, the Huskies have plenty of talent but very little experience returning. Senior Kyler Manu, redshirt freshmen Jackson Sirmon and M.J. Tafisi and true freshmen Josh Calvert and Daniel Heimuli will all have an opportunity to earn a starting job beside Wellington this summer. Despite lacking proven starters at other positions, there’s optimism surrounding UW’s returning depth both on the defensive line and in the secondary. The Huskies certainly must improve a pass rush that managed just 24 sacks in 14 games last fall. But their foremost concerns lie with the linebacking corps.”

5) Outside expectations won’t be for the Huskies to win the division again. How did the players address a retooling spring and how do you see them approaching not being picked as the favorites?

Vorel: “Outside expectations may have changed, but you wouldn’t have known that if you spent last spring around the program. Despite the lack of returning starters defensively, the expectation for Jimmy Lake’s group is still to be dominant — especially in the secondary. And the hope, at least amidst the fan base, is that Eason can provide a downfield punch that the offense has lacked in recent seasons. UW has nearly all of its offensive line returning as well as all of its pass-catchers. That includes a pair of premier tight ends in Hunter Bryant and Cade Otton. It’s important to remember, too, that UW’s 2019 schedule includes home games against USC, Oregon, Utah and Washington State. Add it all together, and Washington should challenge for a conference title yet again this fall.”

Oregon opponent early scouting reports: Auburn | Nevada | Montana | Stanford | Cal | Colorado | Washington | Washington State | USC | Arizona | Arizona State | Oregon State

Oregon storylines:

  • Start of critical 3-game stretch

The trip to Seattle opens the second half of the season for both teams and is the first of what will be a critical three games for the Ducks, who face Washington State and USC afterward. The race in the North division will be clearer at this point, with both rivals already having faced Stanford in Palo Alto.

  • Are road struggles over?

It’ll be the third game away from Autzen Stadium for Oregon but Ducks fans may not let the road struggles narrative rest until a win in a truly hostile environment and Dallas and Palo Alto probably won’t be by comparison. A win at UW, which is 12-1 in Pac-12 home games over the last three years, would end such concerns.

  • Andy Avalos-Chris Petersen connection

Avalos played and coached under Petersen and UW’s Pete Kwiatkowski while at Boise State. As if the rivals weren’t well acquainted enough.

  • 25th anniversary of The Pick

Don’t expect Kenny Wheaton’s iconic play from 1994 to be shown inside Husky Stadium.

Washington storylines:

  • Is Eason living up to expectations?

After six games a lot will be known about Washington’s new starting QB. Eason winning the job is the foregone conclusion outside the program. After games with USC and Stanford he’ll have a chance to show why he did or what he needs to improve on.

  • Has defense reloaded?

With just two starters back the Huskies defense is a major question mark this offseason. Position battles will be sorted out by this point but experience will still favor Oregon’s offense.

  • Fourth game of critical stretch

UW will be coming off games against USC, Stanford and Arizona and have Utah next after a bye week. The middle of its season will determine whether Washington is going to contend for the North division again.

An Oregon win would mean:

Back-to-back wins in a rivalry Oregon was dominating for over a decade until the last few years. At the least, it would keep the Ducks in the race for the North division. Depending on how Stanford fared against UO and UW, a win could give Oregon a substantial lead over both other major contenders.

An Oregon loss would mean:

A major blow to its chances of winning the North division. Even with a win over Stanford, Oregon still has Washington State and USC upcoming and there’s little margin for error. If the Ducks lost to Stanford? Another defeat here will all but end their chances of winning a conference title.

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