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Mark Schafer, a writer for UW Dawg Pound for over three years, recently participated in a Q&A session ahead of the Nebraska vs Washington matchup. Known for his optimistic outlook on Husky football, Schafer shared his insights on the team's quarterback situation, running game, defense, and the overall state of the program under head coach Jedd Fisch.
When asked about the quarterback position, Schafer noted that Demond Williams missed the Purdue game due to a rib injury, and Elijah Brown stepped in, throwing for 302 yards and three touchdowns. If Williams is healthy, Schafer believes he should start, but he acknowledged that Brown is a better fit for Fisch's pro-style offense, similar to schemes run by Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan in the NFL. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Brown has the prototypical size for a pro-style quarterback, whereas Williams is shorter. Brown also gets the ball out quicker—about a full second faster—which Schafer sees as a sign of maturity. Williams, on the other hand, tends to hesitate, looks for the big play too often, and doesn't protect himself well. The dual-threat element Williams brings is valuable, but Brown is more of a statue in the pocket. Despite some questionable throws and three interceptions, Brown did everything asked of a pro-style quarterback, getting the ball to receivers in space and allowing them to use their speed—something Williams has struggled with this year, whether due to indecision or pressure. Schafer thinks Williams would start if healthy, but with Fisch coaching for job security, starting Brown, who has looked good in comparison, could be beneficial.
Washington's running game showed signs of life with 186 yards at Purdue after being near the bottom of the FBS for most of the season. Schafer attributes the previous struggles to three factors: the absence of a true No. 1 running back, a lack of push up front, and injuries. The injuries led to Trey Cooley, who started the year as the third-string back, seeing an increased role. The offensive line also suffered a blow with Landen Hatchett out for the season, leaving a hole at center. Schafer believes the improvement came from relying more on a gap scheme rather than the zone scheme Fisch prefers. Fisch and offensive line coach Michael Switzer consulted the players to see what they were comfortable with and implemented that. Cooley took advantage of the openings and recorded his first 100-yard rushing game since 2021. Schafer cautions that it's uncertain if this success will continue, but if it doesn't, the Huskies could be in for a long day against the Cornhusker defense.
The Husky defense allowed just 13 points per game through September but gave up 41 to Iowa before bouncing back at Purdue with 23 pressures and two interceptions. Schafer notes that the September performances were partly due to weaker competition (Washington State, Utah State, and Eastern Washington, though the unit also allowed 27 to Minnesota). The Iowa game was reminiscent of Washington's loss at Iowa two years ago—they were simply out-physicaled. Giving up 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, especially to Iowa, is never a good look. The Purdue game was a better showing and more indicative of the defense's potential, with the containment of Fame Ijeboi (who had rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns the previous week against Minnesota) standing out aside from the two interceptions. Schafer believes the key for Nebraska fans to watch is how well the defense contains Anthony Colandrea. If they can keep him in check, the defense should look similar to last week; if not, Nebraska's offense could be on the field for extended periods, which would be bad news for a defense that has struggled with giving up big plays.
Washington is 1-3 in the Big Ten heading into a road night game, with Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana, and Oregon still on the schedule. Schafer acknowledges that the Nebraska game will likely dictate the direction of the season. A win would set them up much better than a loss. As for how fans feel about Fisch, Schafer says they are not happy. The Demond Williams portal saga has cast a cloud over the season, and with the season feeling lost relative to preseason expectations, some are calling for his job, though the athletic department can't afford to fire him. If Fisch wins this game with Brown, those calls will quiet temporarily, but if he loses with Williams, fans will continue to call for his job. A win might lead to a bowl game, but a loss could mean only one or two more wins, which would still be a disappointment in Year 3. Schafer also expresses frustration with the number of penalties, which persist in Year 3. Even with a win, that won't go away—it will take fewer penalties and more winning.
For his prediction, Schafer notes that Fisch has struggled on the road outside the Pacific Time Zone, going 2-6 in conference play. He has no reason to believe that trend will change, though he was wrong about the Purdue game. Much depends on whether Brown or Williams starts. If Williams starts, Schafer expects the same issues to affect him and the team. If Brown starts, those issues will be somewhat mitigated, but a win still seems unlikely. Nebraska is 5-2, with both losses coming by a combined six points to Indiana and Oregon. Schafer doesn't have much hope for the Huskies, as Nebraska is probably the most talented team they've faced, and combined with Washington's injury woes up front, that will be the difference. He predicts Nebraska 34, Washington 21.
Key Analysis
Schafer's insights reveal a Washington team at a crossroads. The quarterback decision between Williams and Brown is pivotal, with Brown's pro-style fit potentially offering more stability, but Williams' dual-threat ability adding a dynamic element. The running game's revival against Purdue offers hope, but consistency remains a question. Defensively, the Huskies must contain Colandrea to avoid being worn down. Off the field, Fisch's job security is a simmering issue, and a win against Nebraska could ease tensions temporarily. However, the long-term outlook hinges on cleaning up penalties and maximizing talent. A loss to the Cornhuskers could spell a disappointing season in Year 3 of the Fisch era.
Originally reported by yahoo.