SEATTLE — Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian keeps saying it.
“This is the same as any other week,” Sarkisian said.
He said it Monday. Then again Wednesday.
Sarkisian then talked about “embracing the process” Thursday.
That’s because today, the 17th-ranked Huskies play host to Idaho State (2-0), a Football Championship Subdivision team oddsmakers predict will be blown out by Washington. Kickoff is noon at at Husky Stadium. The FBS is what used to be called NCAA Division I-AA and is the next tier down from the Football Bowl Subdivison, of which the Huskies are a part.
The betting line has Washington as 53-point favorites, which leaves some fans disgruntled and wondering why the Huskies play FCS teams in the first place.
For Sarkisian, the Bengals are just the next opponent. The game is a chance for the the Huskies to continue their pursuit of consistency before the Pacific-12 Conference shedule kicks in. It is a chance to continue ironing out the kinks.
The each-week-is-the-same mantra is one of many things Sarkisian says that can be heard in Renton. There, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll calls each week a “championship week” and has hammered that theme this week as the Seahawks prepare to host the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars.
If things go as planned and predicted, Washington should be in a place to use Saturday’s game for firsts and fixing.
Preseason All-American Austin Seferian-Jenkins had a quiet debut against Illinois, catching just three passes for eight yards. He said he was becoming fatigued in the third quarter. He also said he’s unconcerned with his pass-catching totals.
“We were running the ball great with Bishop (Sankey),” Seferian-Jenkins said. “I think we that we should have just kept doing what we were doing. If that means whatever yards or catches I have, I personally don’t care. If Bishop goes for 300, that’s great.”
Still, Washington would like to work Seferian-Jenkins in more. It would also like a chance to get backup quarterback Cyler Miles going, should the Huskies build a large lead. Miles, a redshirt freshman, has played one series this season. He’s yet to attempt a pass.
After a strong fall camp, Miles moved past fellow redshirt freshman Jeff Lindquist to take clear possession of the No. 2 quarterback position. That got him onto the field against Boise State in the opener.
“I was very anxious for some game action, and it felt great,” Miles said. “Obviously, the game was over, but it was cool and I was blessed to be out there.”
Miles ran an offense that huddled up in high school. He says he enjoys this approach.
“I kind of like going fast tempo, adjusting on the run,” Miles said. “I like working with bullets flying around me, a lot of hectic energy. I like working in that environment because I just calm myself and it’s a cool way for me to play.”
The Huskies are hoping running back Dwayne Washington is able to calm himself, too. His two fumbles on two touches against Illinois jettisoned him to the bench. The Huskies hope he’s able to get back on track today.
Washington is aiming for all of this to happen against pass-happy Idaho State. The Bengals run an up-tempo, pass-first offense that’s produced 69 points in two games.
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