Three takeaways from UW’s 26-13 loss to USC

Published 10:06 pm Saturday, November 12, 2016

Here’s three takeaways from the University of Washington Huskies’ 26-13 loss to the USC Trojans on Saturday at Husky Stadium:

1) Washington College Football Playoff hopes are dashed.

Washington came into Saturday’s game No. 4 in the CFP rankings, meaning had the season ended Friday the Huskies would have been part of the final four. Yet there was plenty of skepticism around the nation about Washington’s credentials. Yes, the Huskies were undefeated in a power-five conference, something that essentially obligated a place in the top four. However, there was lots of chatter about Washington’s strength of schedule, or rather the lack of it. With the Pac-12 down this season, and with the Huskies fattening up on cupcakes in their non-conference schedule, the country wanted to see whether Washington could actually beat a good team.

Saturday’s game was that opportunity. USC came into the game riding a five-game winning streak, which elevated the Trojans to 20th in the CFP standings. This was supposed to be the quality win Washington needed to cement itself as a legitimate national championship contender. Instead, the Huskies were exposed as a team the doubters were right to be skeptical about.

Yes, two of the other top four — Clemson and Michigan — also lost Saturday. But there’s no doubt Washington will be at the back of the line among the one-loss teams, and after scoring just one touchdown at home it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Huskies drop below a couple two-loss teams. Even if Washington wins out, the Huskies likely need a lot of help to climb back into the playoff picture.

2) Washington’s offense couldn’t deliver.

The Huskies came into the game averaging 48.3 points per game, second only to Louisville nationally. But Washington’s offense managed just one touchdown, a 70-yard strike from Jake Browning to John Ross on USC’s only defensive mistake of the game. Otherwise, the explosive offense we’ve come to expect from the Huskies was absent.

The issue was USC’s defense was unlike anything Washington had seen yet this season. The Trojans were able to match the Huskies’ speed, and that caused Washington no end of problems. USC’s linebackers were able to get from sideline to sideline, slowing down the Huskies’ running game, and the Trojan defensive backs were draped all over the Washington receivers, meaning Browning didn’t have the open targets he’s used to seeing downfield.

The net result was some dramatically low numbers. In addition to scoring 35 fewer points than usual, the Dawgs managed just 276 yards of total offense, down from the 499 they had been averaging. The discrepancy was even more dramatic in the run game as Washington managed a paltry 27 yards on 17 carries, down from 231.0 yards the Huskies were averaging. And Browning finished the game a pedestrian 17-for-36 for 259 yards and one touchdown versus two interceptions, likely ending his Heisman Trophy hopes. It was definitely a bad day at the office for Washington’s offense.

3) Injuries on defense are becoming a problem.

Washington linebacker Azeem Victor, the team’s leading tackler, was carted off the field in the second quarter with what appeared to be an injury to his right leg. Washington coach Chris Petersen had no update on Victor’s condition following the game, but he did say that any time a player is carted off it’s not likely to be good news.

Victor could be the second important member of Washington’s front seven to be lost for the remainder of the season. Defensive end Joe Mathis, the team leader in sacks, was lost for the season because of a foot injury, and his absence has been felt. In the three previous games Mathis missed the Huskies managed just three sacks total, and Washington had issues rushing the passer again against USC. Washington couldn’t get any pressure on USC quarterback Sam Darnold early, so the Huskies were forced to dial up the blitz more frequently. Unfortunately for Washington, Darnold’s mobility allowed him to elude the rush more often than not, and with fewer defensive players in coverage it opened up seams for Darnold to exploit.

Should Victor be done for the season, these problems will only continue.