| Two games in, and the vibes around Washington football have flipped in a hurry. The Husky program needed to revitalize a dead offense, and brought in new head coach Kalen DoBoer and Indiana transfer quarterback Michael Penix Jr., to do just that. While Penix spent 4 years in the Spartans' division, he hasn't seen a whole lot of them. In 2018, he didn't get tabbed until after the teams had already played, and in 2021 he was already injured by that point. But in the two years in between, he tortured them. Indiana split the games, but the Hoosiers put up 31 points both times, and Penix was a combined 58-80 for 606 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Through two games against overmatched opponents in 2022, he's off to an explosive start, completing 70% of his passes, for 340 ypg, 6 touchdowns and just 1 interception. Throw in the fact that these September Pac 12 road games seemingly always give Big Ten teams trouble, and you've got an issue. Michigan State's last road win at a Pac 12 school, wasn't even a Pac 12 school then, because there was no Pac 12. It was a 1984 win at Colorado. Otherwise it was a 1957 win over a 1-9 PCC team in California. Since that win they are a combined 0-12, including a loss in their lone road game in Seattle, 42-16 in 1970. But...lets not forget how much this Washington team struggled last year, and wins over Portland State and Kent State don't magically erase that, nor does a 1970 game have any impact. After opening 2021 ranked #20, the Huskies opened with a 13-7 loss to FCS Montana, got blasted by Michigan, and wound up 4-8, firing Jimmy Lake midway through the season. They still haven't defeated a bowl team since 2019, so they still have prove it mode. Michigan State wants to prove that their pass rush can hold up against stiffer competition. They lead the nation with 12 sacks through 2 games, led by UNLV transfer Jacoby Windmon who leads the nation in both sacks (5.5) and forced fumbles (4). I think Washington is on the right track, and Penix has sped up their timeline, but the offense is still lacking enough weapons around him. Granted, if Jayden Reed can't go for Michigan State, his status is still up in the air, then the Spartan passing attack looks to be shaky as well. Payton Thorne has had three straight iffy outings, dating back to the Peach Bowl last season. |
