Washington Huskies vs Northwestern Wildcats Picks and Predictions September 21st 2024

Washington is favored by -10.5 points as they host the Northwestern Wildcats at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Kick-off is set for 7:00 ET on Saturday, September 21st, with FS1 handling the television broadcast. Both teams come into this game with a 2-1 record for the season. The over/under line is currently set at 43 points for this week four college football matchup.

Northwestern vs. Washington Key Information

Northwestern improved to 2-1 after a 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois. This game had no betting lines available.

The Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead, but Eastern Illinois tied the game at 7-7. Northwestern then pulled ahead 24-7 by the end of the third quarter and added one more touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Northwestern’s offense was in sync in their 31-7 win, racking up 450 yards of total offense and 22 first downs. The ground game was effective, with 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while the passing attack added 247 yards and two more scores.

Quarterback Jack Lausch completed 64.5% of his passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 107.86. Cam Porter led the ground game with 77 yards on 15 carries, and A.J. Henning was the top receiver, hauling in seven catches for 117 yards.

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Northwestern’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, limiting Eastern Illinois to just 40 rushing yards and 207 total yards. The Wildcats allowed only 13 first downs and 7 points, with the lone touchdown coming through the air. Eastern Illinois completed 17 of 31 passes for 167 yards against Northwestern’s secondary.

Washington is now 2-1 on the season after a 24-19 loss to Washington State at home. The Huskies were -6 point favorites but ended up losing straight-up and against the spread. The game’s total score of 43 points fell short of the 54-point over/under line.

Washington State led 10-7 after the first quarter, and the Huskies narrowed the gap to 17-13 by halftime. Each team added seven points in the third quarter, but Washington was unable to score in the fourth quarter, resulting in their first loss of the season.

Washington’s offense, led by quarterback Will Rogers, put up 452 yards of total offense in their most recent game. Rogers completed 74.2% of his passes for 314 yards and one touchdown, earning a passer rating of 116.87. Giles Jackson was his top target, hauling in eight receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.

The Huskies’ offense moved the chains 21 times but struggled to establish a ground game, finishing with 126 rushing yards on 31 carries. Jonah Coleman was the leading rusher, gaining 75 yards on 14 attempts.

Washington’s defense will be looking to tighten up after giving up 384 total yards in their last game. The Huskies allowed 245 passing yards and 139 rushing yards, with Washington State picking up 25 first downs. Washington State’s offense also found the endzone twice on the ground and once through the air.

With the over/under line set at 43 points, we see value in taking the under, as our projections have these teams combining for just 40 points. Washington is the -10.5 point favorite at home, and we expect them to win by a score of 26-14.

For a point-spread pick, we like Washington to cover as the favorite, and we would also consider a straight bet on the Huskies to win.

Washington vs. Northwestern: Huskies Aim for Redemption After 40 Years

Washington Set to Face Northwestern in Their First Big Ten Conference Showdown After Apple Cup Heartbreak

This Saturday, the Washington Huskies (2-1) will face off against the Northwestern Wildcats (2-1) in a historic first—Washington’s debut in the Big Ten Conference. However, all the chatter leading up to this big game isn’t just about the new conference rivalry. It’s also about Washington’s crushing 24-19 loss to Washington State in last week’s Apple Cup.

In a nail-biter, the Huskies were stopped at the 1-yard line on a fourth-and-one play, sealing the win for Washington State. This was only the Cougars’ second victory in their last 14 meetings. Washington’s head coach, Jedd Fisch, didn’t shy away from taking the heat for the gutsy but questionable play call.

“It’s always tough when a game comes down to a fourth-and-one,” Fisch admitted. “But honestly, there were so many plays before that which put us in that situation—and that’s what hurts the most.”

Now, Washington faces a crucial test: Can they bounce back from a bitter rivalry loss and refocus for their Big Ten debut?

Moving Forward: Washington Eyes a Fresh Start

The Apple Cup may sting, but coach Fisch has made it clear that the team’s focus has shifted.

“Normally, the Apple Cup is our last game of the season, but not this year,” Fisch explained. “Our job now is to make sure one loss doesn’t cost us two games.”

If Washington hopes to succeed on Saturday, they’ll need to clean up several areas of their play. Quarterback Will Rogers III had a solid game against Washington State, throwing for 314 yards and a touchdown with a 23-of-31 passing performance. But the offense faltered in the red zone, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns—four of them, in fact, from kicker Grady Gross. Worse yet, the Huskies were flagged 16 times for a whopping 135 yards. Those penalties were absolute momentum killers, robbing them of the chance to finish drives.

If the Huskies want to make a strong Big Ten debut, they’ll need tighter execution on offense and a lot more discipline.

Northwestern’s Rising Star: Jack Lausch

As for Northwestern, this will be their first road game of the season. The Wildcats are coming off a dominant 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Lausch made his first career start, and while he had a few shaky moments early on, he ended up impressing. Lausch completed 20 of 31 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. He also showed off his athleticism, rushing for 62 yards on seven carries.

Wildcats head coach David Braun had high praise for his young QB, describing him as “unfazed by what’s happening around him.” Braun emphasized that Lausch’s confidence stems from solid preparation, not arrogance.

Now, Lausch is facing a completely different beast—Husky Stadium, one of the most intimidating and loudest places to play in college football. Still, the young quarterback remains hopeful, focusing on his team’s constant improvement.

Déjà Vu? Huskies Hold the Edge in Their Last Clash

The last time these two teams faced off was nearly 40 years ago, back on September 8, 1984. The Huskies crushed Northwestern 26-0 in Seattle. Although a lot has changed since then, Washington remains the favorite going into Saturday’s matchup, especially with home-field advantage.

That said, Northwestern is a different team now, led by a promising young quarterback and carrying some serious momentum from their last game. If Washington’s still hung up on their Apple Cup loss, they could find themselves in trouble against a team that’s hungry to prove itself.

Washington’s Keys to Success: Clean Up the Mistakes

If Washington wants to come out on top, they’ll need to cut down on the mistakes that haunted them against Washington State. While the Huskies showed they can move the ball through the air, their inability to convert in the red zone—and all those penalties—cost them big time.

Will Rogers III will need to be just as sharp, but the Huskies can’t rely solely on their passing game. Their offensive line and running game will need to step up to keep things balanced and avoid becoming too predictable. On the defensive side, they’ll need to keep a close eye on Northwestern’s dual-threat quarterback, Jack Lausch, who’s shown he can make plays with both his arm and legs.

Northwestern’s Game Plan: Defense and Discipline

For Northwestern to pull off an upset, they’ll need a solid defensive performance and continued strong play from Lausch. Washington has struggled with discipline recently, and if the Wildcats can keep the game close by playing smart football, they might just be able to turn the tide. Forcing Washington into long-yardage situations will put extra pressure on their offense, which has been inconsistent in key moments.

Braun’s trust in Lausch is well-placed, but the young quarterback will face his toughest test yet against a much stronger defense and a much louder crowd than what he encountered against Eastern Illinois. How Lausch handles that pressure will likely be the deciding factor in this game.

Game Outlook: Will Washington Find Redemption or Will Northwestern Surprise?

Both teams come into Saturday’s game with 2-1 records, but the stakes are higher for Washington, as they want to make a strong impression in their first Big Ten game. For Northwestern, this is their chance to prove they can compete on the road against a top-tier team.

With Washington’s home-field advantage, superior talent, and a need to bounce back after last week’s loss, they’re the favorites. But if they don’t tighten up their execution and stop shooting themselves in the foot with penalties, Northwestern has what it takes to make them pay for it.

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This game will be a test of resilience for both teams—especially for Washington, as they look to shake off the disappointment of the Apple Cup and start their Big Ten journey on the right foot.

Conclusion

As Washington steps into the Big Ten, the focus is clear: they need discipline and execution to avoid another setback. Northwestern, riding the promise of their young quarterback, is eager to spoil the Huskies’ debut. With both teams having something to prove, this game is shaping up to be an exciting and pivotal clash in their seasons.