If the Huskies were flying high after their stunning upset of USC, they were brought back to earth this past weekend at Stanford. Washington got clobbered by the Cardinal, 34-14, as Steve Sarkisian\u2019s club surrendered 321 rushing yards, 200 of them to Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. Despite allowing only seven completed passes, Washington\u2019s defense was repeatedly gashed on the ground, a sign that UW\u2019s defensive front needs to get stronger.<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE FOR THE TOP ONLINE NCAA-F Handicappers Plays For This Week —–><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n On offense, UW quarterback Jake Locker \u2013 an evidently gifted athlete with tremendous leadership skills \u2013 proved against Stanford that he\u2019s a far-from-polished product under center. Locker completed only 16-of-31 passes against the Cardinal, with two interceptions and only one touchdown. Washington is far better than last year\u2019s 0-12 team, but this group needs to make substantial improvements on both sides of the ball before Sarkisian and Co. can expect to reach a bowl game. Notre Dame: The Week That Was<\/strong><\/p>\n The Fighting Irish alternated between brilliance and mediocrity for a third straight week, enduring another rollercoaster ride in a 24-21 win at Purdue. Charlie Weis\u2019 team rallied behind injured quarterback Jimmy Clausen on a game-winning 72-yard touchdown drive. Clausen shook off a turf toe injury and threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph with 24 seconds left in the game.<\/p>\n Notre Dame\u2019s offense is doing enough to win, but its defense is playing poorly. The Irish have coughed up gobs of passing yards to average Big Ten quarterbacks in recent weeks. Kirk Cousins of Michigan State smoked Weis\u2019 defense for 302 passing yards on Sept. 19, and this past weekend, Purdue\u2019s Joey Elliott racked up 289 yards through the air. Notre Dame\u2019s last three games have all been decided in the final minute of regulation, but the Irish have managed to win the past two.<\/p>\n The Week That Is:<\/strong><\/p>\n Last year, in Tyrone Willingham\u2019s final season as Washington\u2019s head coach, Notre Dame beat a Locker-less Husky team, 33-7. This time, Washington needs Locker to be a truly dynamic difference-maker. Locker must scramble in the open field whenever he sees a running lane. On the occasions when the Irish keep him in the pocket, the Washington quarterback has to expose a frail Irish secondary.<\/p>\n The need for Locker to perform is made apparent by the weakness of Washington\u2019s defensive line. Clausen said this week that his toe is \u201cfeeling better every day,\u201d which means that the Irish should score big unless the Huskies can pressure him. Receiver Golden Tate figures to catch a number of downfield passes from Clausen, unless Washington figures things out with its front seven.<\/p>\n This game should be high-scoring, so the Irish \u2013 blessed with a sharper quarterback and more athletic receivers \u2013 have the weaponry needed to thrive. While Notre Dame has been living on the edge, it\u2019s hard to see Washington hanging with the Irish up front. This game could be close through the first 35 minutes, but by the time 60 minutes are done, expect the Irish to win comfortably.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/football\/sportsbook_NCAAGOTW1_300x600_mybanner1.gif\")
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