Can Steve Sarkisian and his Huskies pull the upset against the Cardinal?

Keys to a Stanford win

1.  Get QB Josh Nunes involved in the offense early - Washington will do whatever necessary to disrupt the Stanford run game blocking schemes, often sending seven or eight into the box early and often.  Nunes must back them off with solid play action competence and even bootlegs out of the pocket.

2.  Create Wide 5/9 trouble - Against USC, OLB Chase Thomas lined up in a sprinter's stance from his Wide 9 position to draw a bead on USC QB Matt Barkley.  Left tackle Aundrey Walker had an extremely difficult time handling that wide rush.  Unfortunately for the Huskies, U Dub's offensive line is green as can be, given the injuries this offensive line has suffered, and Thomas Wide 5/9 alignment could spell major trouble for Washington.

3.  Keep coming in waves - The Cardinal defensive line was absolutely relentless against  USC and Washington can't handle  the depth, speed and power that Stanford possesses up front.  Nearly every Cardinal defensive lineman made a play that impact the win over USC.  Washington can't handle this entire group all game long.  Don't let up and be relentless.

Keys to a Washington win

1.  Answer the bell physically - Washington needs to do this against the Stanford offensive line.  Washington has lost a number of linemen due to injury and graduation, so it's not a group that can survive facing Stanford's offensive line for 75 to 80 plays.  But, if it can physically hold up at the point of attack, UW will have a shot.

2.  Keep it short and sweet - U Dub QB Keith Price must get rid of the football and take what Stanford gives him in the passing game.  He's not going to get the time in the pocket to riddle the Cardinal with deep digs, intermediate routes and the like.  Think short and move the chains.

3.  Shaq Diesel - Nickel backer/safety/hybrid/stud Shaq Thompson should be near the box all night long as the one Husky the Stanford offensive line may not be able to account for in the blocking scheme.  If he's not, safety Sean Parker will be that guy.  It's imperative that the Huskies' star safeties tackle on first contact and not let Taylor roll up huge yards after first contact.

Conclusion

Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has been horribly disappointed, more like appalled, in his team's performances against ranked teams the past two seasons.  Dating back to last year, Washington has been thumped by ranked teams…badly.  That trend continued in Baton Rouge in week 2 as the Huskies lost 41-3 to the #2 ranked LSU Tigers.  Stanford's arrival on Thursday night provides Washington another opportunity to, at a minimum, compete.  Husky Stadium will be rocking in front of a national television audience, but there isn't one of those fans that has to stop RB Stepfan Taylor.  David Shaw's Cardinal leave Seattle with a solid win over the Huskies.

Stanford - 29 vs. Washington - 17