2013 Fight Hunger Bowl Preview: Washington vs. BYU
Steve Sarkisian’s sudden exit from the Washington Huskies (8-4) earlier this month may have put a damper on the team’s bowl season, but even in the midst of a coaching change, Washington should come ready to play today in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl against a similarly-built offensive powerhouse in the BYU Cougars (8-4).
With quarterbacks coach and former UW star Marques Tuiasosopo leading the way as UW’s interim coach, the Huskies enter today’s bout with the Cougs as a three-point favorite. Considering this will be the only game he serves as head coach – with former Boise State head man Chris Petersen set to take over the reins next season – Tuiasosopo will certainly put all he’s got into this contest and he feels his team will do the same.
“I’m humbled and so honored,” said Tuiasosopo, according to ESPN.com. “It’s a great, incredible honor to lead my alma mater in a bowl game. We still have a lot to play for this season. I am excited to go out and get a ninth win.”
While the Huskies are making their fourth straight bowl appearance, they’d love to get back in the postseason win column, as they’ve lost their last two bowl games, including a heart-breaker last season to Boise State.
Brigham Young University has enjoyed much more postseason success recently as winners of six of their last eight bowl games. They will also be bringing a three-game winning streak in the series with Washington into today’s game, which should give the Cougars even more confidence.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to play Washington in the Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco,” said Cougars head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “I’m proud of our team. We are excited to be in the postseason for the ninth straight year with a chance to grow our program facing an outstanding football program.”
However, just because BYU has gotten the better of UW recently doesn’t necessarily mean the trend will continue, as the 2013 boast the nation’s ninth best offense (514.3 yards per game), which also scores 38.5 points per game. Moreover, the Huskies’ attack is well-balanced, ranking 31st in the nation (271.3 yards per game) through the air and 14th on the ground (243.1 yards per game).
The Cougars’ offense is more run-based, but nearly as effective, as BYU averaged 274.6 yards per game (10th in nation) and 31.3 points. And if you think those numbers were put up against inferior foes, then you are wrong, because, as an independent, the Cougars played the likes of Wisconsin, Boise State, Notre Dame and Texas and won two of those high-profile match-ups.
The real question people seem to be asking of BYU is: Can it limit Washington’s high-powered offense. Considering the Cougars allowed just 21.3 points per game against a fairly stacked schedule, it’s safe to say they more than capable.
Washington’s used to putting up big points on lackluster defenses, but it should find plenty of fight from BYU on both sides of the ball today. Look for the Cougars to surprise Pac-12 supporters and cover +3 points in a Fight Hunger Bowl win today.
