College Football Week 2: Washington At #3 LSU

Washington

#3 LSU

Steve Sarkisian inherited a Washington program that had gone winless the season before. He went 7-6 with a bowl victory his second year, but the program didn’t take the expected next step last season.	Coaching	Given the opponent (North Texas), we can’t take much from LSU’s opener. But we do know LSU has only lost one game outside of the SEC since Les Miles arrived in Baton Rouge 2005. He will have his team ready.
Returning starting quarterback Keith Price is a dark horse Heisman candidate. The Huskies replaced their star running back and didn’t get much production out of the position in Week 1.	Offense	First year starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger wasn’t spectacular in his debut, but he won’t have to be for LSU to be successful on offense. Tailbacks Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue ran for a combined 264 yards. The Tigers’ leading rusher last season, Spencer Ware, didn’t even play as he nursed a leg injury.
Washington’s performance in its bowl game last season got its defensive coordinator fired. We’re only one game into the new regime, but the Huskies looked competent against San Diego State.	Defense	The Tiger defense figures to be one of the best in the country. Eric Reid, as expected, is just as capable as Tyrann Mathieu, recording an interception in the opener.
The Huskies have a new kicker and punter this season. Both starters saw their first college action last week.	Special Teams	Odell Beckham, Jr. picked up the slack for the Honey Badger in the punt return department, taking one 70 yards for a score. All-American punter Brad Wing sat out with a hamstring injury; his status for Saturday is unknown.

The winner is

#3 LSU

3 out of 4

LSU has not lost a regular season nonconference game since 2002. Washington is dangerous, but not dangerous enough to pull off the upset in Baton Rouge at night.

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