2020 Washington Huskies Football Preview – Defense
Head Coach Jimmy Lake, Washington Huskies football.
The Washington Huskies football team opens its 2020 season on November 14. Today, PNWS previews what promises to be a very stout UW defense.
I’m sure all Washington Huskies football fans are excited that there will be a 2020 season after all. This year won’t have as many games as other years. However, seeing UW take the field at Husky Stadium is a sight for sore eyes.
It would have been great to have fans in the stands to support the UW players. That won’t happen because of COVID-19 protocols. However, it will be nice to have something to do on a Saturday besides home remodeling or running errands. I am sure most Husky fans are Seahawks fans, but seeing college football on a Saturday is good. The Pac-12 can’t leave it to the Big Ten, SEC, and anyone else playing football to occupy our game days.
Jimmy Lake begins his first year as the Washington Huskies Head Coach, after taking over for Chris Petersen last December. UW promoted Pete Kwiatkowski, who came from Boise State with Petersen, to assume Lake’s defensive coordinator job.
We started our UW 2020 preview on Monday with the offense. Today it’s the defense’s turn. A cornerstone of Washington Huskies football throughout the years is their commitment to defense. That tradition continues in 2020 with a very talented group.
Unexpected Losses
UW lost two key ingredients to the team after the Pac-12 originally postponed the season. Outside linebacker Joe Tryon, a junior, and senior defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike opted out of the Huskies next season. Both are getting ready for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Different but effective
The Washington Huskies defensive alignment is a bit unusual, at least on paper. They play with two defensive tackles plugging up the middle, a pair of outside linebackers who act like defensive ends. Washington rounds out the defense with two inside linebackers, two cornerbacks, two safeties, and a hybrid nickelback.
In 2019 pass-heavy teams such as Hawaii, WSU, and Boise State, had trouble against the Huskies defense. Only Oregon found enough firepower to beat Washington last year at Husky Stadium, 35-31. Then again, UO had more of a balanced attack. What put the Ducks over the top that day was 188 yards rushing on 34 carries.
1 week away. Dawgs will be ready for war. pic.twitter.com/QtAVgIiqLJ
— Elijah Molden (@ElijahMolden24) November 1, 2020