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What are the keys to victory against a reeling Cal squad? What is the most critical matchup that the Huskies must win?
Anthony Cassino, UW Dawg Pound: If the Husky pass defense can take its home recipe on the road the Dawgs should do pretty well. Letting Maynard beat himself and having Cal's offensive line kill drives with sack after sack is an easy recipe to follow. If Desmond Trufant can shut down Keenan Allen like he did Marquise Lee, the Huskies have a great shot of winning in another defensive grind.
Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: The key is coming out ready to play. I don't see the Husky defense being able to play from behind right now even against a struggling team like Cal. From a matchup standpoint, I think it will if they are able to run the ball against Cal. They can't count on Keith Price and the offensive line to lead them to a victory on the road right now throwing the ball.
What's your prediction for the Friday night game in Berkeley and why?
Anthony Cassino, UW Dawg Pound: I think the Huskies win a close one, something like 23-17. Steve Sarkisian has had Jeff Tedford's number, and these teams look like they may be headed in different directions. The Huskies won an emotional game last week and may have captured momentum heading into the final month of the season. The Bears were crushed by one of the conference's worst teams, are definitely missing a bowl, and may have their coach on his way out. If the Huskies can score first or get an early big play, it may end up where Cal packs it in for the game and then the rest of the year, having nothing left to play for (not even a Big Game on the horizon). It looks like a classic quit-on-the-coach situation.
Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: I'm thinking a very close, low-scoring win for Washington. I think their secondary who is playing good right now can take away Keenan Allen and then key on the Cal run game and I think the Husky offense can score just enough to get the win like they did against Stanford and Oregon State who seem like better versions of this Cal team.