Washington's O-Line Questions Loom Ahead of Minnesota's Big Ten Opener
The short version
- Minnesota (2-1) opens Big Ten play Saturday night at Washington (3-0) as a 10-point underdog.
- Seattle radio host Dave Mahler cited a young, injured Washington offensive line and a struggling run game.
- Washington running backs Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar are out until at least November with arm injuries.
- Washington is 28-2 at home in its last 30 games entering the matchup.
Injuries and youth on Washington's offensive front have a Seattle radio voice questioning the unbeaten Huskies ahead of Saturday's visit from Minnesota.
Minnesota travels to Seattle on Saturday night to open Big Ten play against Washington, and a familiar voice in the Huskies' market has raised doubts about the unbeaten home side. Dave "Softy" Mahler, a Seattle radio host who also works as the Washington sideline reporter, questioned the identity of the 3-0 Huskies this week during an appearance on KFAN with Paul Allen.
Mahler pointed to an offensive line featuring 18-year-old freshman left tackle Kodi Greene, backup center Kolt Dieterich, and a sophomore left guard in John Mills who has had uneven moments. He suggested Minnesota's edge rushers, including Anthony Smith, who recorded 12.5 sacks last season, could target Greene. According to Pro Football Focus, Greene has allowed seven quarterback pressures through three games, including a 35.2 pass-blocking grade in Week 1 against Washington State.
The line has been hit by injuries. Starting center Landen Hatchett, out since suffering an injury last season, appeared atop the depth chart this week but Dieterich appears more likely to start. Head coach Jedd Fisch said Monday the team hoped Hatchett could try practicing this week.
Washington has also lost its top two running backs, Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar, to arm injuries expected to keep them out until at least November. The Huskies rank 15th in the Big Ten at 129.7 rushing yards per game, just ahead of 17th-ranked Minnesota at 117. Quarterback Demond Williams leads the team with 150 rushing yards.
Still, Minnesota enters as a 10-point underdog, and Mahler cautioned that Husky Stadium remains one of the sport's toughest venues. He noted Washington is 28-2 at home in its last 30 games, with the only losses since the start of 2022 coming to Ohio State and Oregon, and that teams traveling two or more time zones are 1-8 in their last nine trips to Seattle.
