Washington’s defense hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut this year. Everyone knows this. They also clearly have made strides over last season’s unit. Arizona State only managed 7 points against the Huskies and it looked like the unit had maybe found something. Then of course they gave up 33 points to a Stanford offense that has been dormant much of the season as the Cardinal finally picked up multiple explosive passing plays downfield. Which defense would show up against the #1 rated offense in the country per SP+?
Unsurprisingly, it was the bad one. Part of the explanation for the effort against Stanford was that the Huskies were down to their 4th string free safety with Asa Turner, Kamren Fabiculanen, and Vincent Nunley all out.