Ohio State at Washington prediction: Man coverage, Demond Williams could prove difference for Huskies

In one of the sneakier great games on the schedule this weekend, Ohio State will travel out west to take on Washington. It’s a matchup with some definite upset potential, though the Buckeyes are favored by a little more than a touchdown.

College football analyst Josh Pate is circling this game as one that could catch people off-guard, though. He explained on the Josh Pate’s College Football Show on Tuesday night.

“Ohio State is 6-0 off a bye week under Ryan Day, but Georgia notably has the longest home win streak in the country,” Pate said. “Who do you think is No. 2? It is Washington. So, not the easiest place to go play, contrary to the belief of people mainly who haven’t been there.”

Pate pointed out that both defenses are doing an excellent job of getting after the quarterback without having to resort to blitzing. So this will be a huge test for both offensive lines.

Whichever team can manage to keep its quarterback upright will instantly have a big leg up in the battle. There’s another matchup that has Pate’s attention, though.

“Washington, the other thing I’m excited to see here, they are known to man up on these receivers about as much as any team in FBS,” Pate said. “I’m looking at that thinking surely that changes against Ohio State, right? I don’t know. Maybe it doesn’t. It’s a bold strategy. Bolder than anything you see in Dodgeball. If you just look at Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate and all these guys and say, ‘You know, I like our corners one-on-one against you guys.’ Well, that’s what they make popcorn for.”

Regardless, the onus is on Washington to make something happen. Whether that occurs on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Ohio State offense in check, or on offense remains to be seen.

There’s a big weapon on the offensive end. Pate’s excited to see him play.

“Demond Williams is one of my favorite players,” the analyst said. “Most of you haven’t watched him play a lot. He’s the starting quarterback at Washington. This is sort of the game I’ve circled, not as his coming out party, it’s really hard to do that against Ohio State. Could happen. It’s hard to do that against Ohio State. I just know this is the moment most of America will really be watching him for the first time, and I wonder is it mostly his arm or is it the full arsenal?

“Because he runs the ball fairly effectively, but I don’t know, Ohio State just looks too good to run the ball. It looks too good for quarterback run to be an integral part of what you do, at least from a playcalling standpoint. So if we are to believe that Ohio State will limit what he does with his legs it’s tough.

“He’s a surefire weapon. But if they can limit it, he is a 73% passer. He is a six-touchdowns, no-interceptions guy so far. They just haven’t played anybody. Many teams haven’t played anybody. But you know what? What if you’re legit and you haven’t played anyone? You’re still legit, it’s just people don’t know it yet because you haven’t played anybody. I lean towards that, but I’m a big believer. I’m a big believer in Demond Williams.”

Enough of a believer to pick Washington to win? Well, not quite.

“I think I’m going to split the difference here,” Pate said. “I think Ohio State will go win this game. I think it’s going to be very competitive. An upset would mildly surprise but not shock me at all. I will take Washington plus the points, anything above eight. We’re getting it right now. I’ll take Washington plus eight-and-a-half.

“They cannot match Ohio State man for man, most teams can’t. But I think there’s some unique, dynamic athletes Washington has, namely at the quarterback position that that along with home field and an inexperienced Ohio State team, really experiencing that kind of environment for the first time this year… I think something crazy could happen. At the very least I think the home team can cover there. So give me Washington plus the points. I do like Ohio State outright, though.”