The good, the bad and the unknown: Oregon State

The Good

Second half physical dominance - The Huskies followed the same script of the Colorado game where they felt out an opponent on the road for the first half and then drove them into the ground methodically in the second half. Both Husky fronts appeared to have both Beaver fronts tapped out about halfway through the third quarter. This is a very comfortable way to win games.

Road block one done - There are a few tricky parts of the Husky schedule this year and these back-to-back road games was challenge number one. The Huskies passed with flying colors, avoided a semi-trap at Oregon State and came out rested and ready.

Lavon Coleman is back - It had been a sparse 2017 for Coleman thus far, but he finally looked like his prime self against the Beavers. It’s a shame his touchdown run got called back.

Dante Pettis - Pettis showed that he is a true number one receiver who can take over games. He looked like John Ross did against Cal last year where defenders had to just keep accepting pass interference penalties because they had no other way of stopping him.

Just plain defense - The entire Husky defense was lights out pretty much the whole game. The Beaver offense struggled to get any yardage or first downs when the game mattered.

Tight end involvement - It’s really nice to see Hunter Bryant and Will Dissly having impacts as pass catchers with Washington’s receiving experience limited after Pettis and with Drew Sample out.

Smooth sailing - Getting to 5-0 and 2-0 in-conference without breaking much of a sweat will pay major dividends down the road. Unlike a team like USC who is grinding out every win and losing players to injury left and right, the Huskies are coasting, saving energy and limiting how much of their playbook they have to reveal while still winning comfortably.

The Bad

Kicking - Field goal kicking is a clear issue. It’s going to cost the Huskies a close game this year if it isn’t fixed.

Passing difficulties - The Husky passing game did just find against a struggling Beaver secondary, but there are still signs that the Huskies will struggle to pass the ball and are limited at receiver. Most of the sacks and pressure Jake Browning faced were because a lack of open options.

Oregon State - The Beavers seemed like a team that was turning the corner last year. They are not. They are firmly glued to the bottom of the conference and one of the worst power five conference teams in the nation.

The Unknown

When challenged? The Huskies have seen brief challenges early in games, but it’s totalled to probably less than a game and a half of challenging quarters. It’s nice to not have to exert too much, but when will the Huskies face a team that can take them at least three quarters?

Kicking game? Van Soderberg stepped in and kicked an extra point. Will he have to be the solution in the troubled field goal kicking game? Can Tristan Vizcaino step up?

How good is Cal? Cal made minor national waves by winning at North Carolina and at home against Mississippi and they gave USC a nice challenge for three quarters in Berkeley. However, just how good those teams they beat are is a major question mark and they lost by more than 20 to an above average at-best Oregon team last week. Is Cal good enough to catch the Huskies Saturday, or are they just an improving team who should be downed by at least 20 in Seattle.