Jake Locker: Enemy #1

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John Berkowitz from Uwdogpound.com answers my 5 questions surrounding Washington and the game on Saturday. Take a look inside the mind of a Husky:

1. What did Stanford do that worked so well against the Huskies?

Stanford was better and more physical than Washington was on both the offensive and defensive line. The Cardinal ran the ball up the gut all night featuring Toby Gerhart who had a career rushing high of  200 yards on 27 carries. The entire team shredded the Husky defense for 321 rushing yards. Defensively the Cardinal were able to force Washington into committing three key turnovers which took the Huskies out key potential scoring drives. Stanford also picked up a cheap seven to open the game when the Washington kicker Erik Folk mis-hit the opening kickoff to Chris Owusu who returned it 94 yards.

2. How do you contain Jake Locker? Blitz everyone? Zone defenses? Rush 3, drop 8?

Jake is going to get most of his yards through the air. He isn't running much this year because the coaching staff wants to keep him healthy the entire season. He will run on key third down plays to keep drives alive but the days of him running 12-15 designed running plays are over.That being said he has become the most dangerous passer in the Pac 10 and will be the best QB the Wildcats face this season. The key to containing the Washington passing game is to jam the Husky WR's at the line and take them out of their routes which would ruin their timing with Locker. Putting pressure on Jake and containing him inside the pocket with your defensive ends will also limit his options. If Jake has time all night he can make the plays that will beat you.
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3. Chris Polk tore up Notre Dame. Do you think he is capable of doing this every game?

Chris has done it every game. He is a punishing runner with breakaway speed who carries players with him after he makes contact. You can't stop Chris Polk but you can contain the damage he is capable of by limiting the big play. Chris has become a good North/South type of runner who doesn't need much of a hole inside. He turns plays that look like four yard losses into eight yard gains. We are really happy with the way he has performed so far this season.

(Contain this guy = beat Washington)

 4. Your D-Line had trouble getting pressure on Clausen.  How scared of Nick Foles are you?

We know Nick Foles is a good QB. He carved up Oregon State extremely well. Are we scared of Nick Foles? I would say the answer would be no. He isn't the best QB we have faced yet this season or the best we will face all season. As for the defensive line we have had trouble getting pressure on QB's all season and that will continue on Saturday. Nick will have time to make plays on Saturday. They key is he will be doing it in the loudest stadium in the country. Nick is promising but he lacks experience. Husky Stadium can be a nightmare for the most experienced starting QB. Our two starting safeties may be out for this game so I imagine Nick will get his yards at times. Turnovers are key in a loud stadium. Washington has been good at getting the opposition to turn over the ball this season.

5. How has your team evolved since the beating of USC at home and the loss at Stanford?

We have evolved into a team that doesn't have as much depth as when we played USC. The season is now at the mid point and after playing the toughest schedule in the country we have been nicked up here and there. Washington is balanced on offense and the emergence of Chris Polk as a power back has taken the pressure of Jake Locker to run the ball. Defensively the team is challenged right now. A great running team like Stanford walked all over us. A great passing team like Notre Dame burned us through the air. Both teams had career days in both categories against Washington. Despite that the Huskies have shown they can beat anyone in the country right now even though they are only 2-3. This team does not give up and should not be taken lightly.