Offense: Washington has an exciting offense, that averages 31.5 points a game. Keith Price is the quarterback, and he has passed for 29 touchdowns. The sophomore's two top receivers are both seniors. Devin Aguilar and Jermaine Kearse have combined for 10 receiving touchdowns. The main key to this offense, however, is RB Chris Polk. The junior has once again rushed for over 1300 yards en route to 11 touchdowns. They should have success against a subpar Baylor defense. Baylor puts up 43.5 points a game and has the Heisman winning quarterback Robert Griffin III. The do-it-all junior has 3998 yards and 36 touchdowns, as well as run for 644 yards and 9 touchdowns. It is an explosive offense, led by a very explosive player. WR Kendall Wright has been Griffin's top receiver all year, as he has hauled in 101 receptions for 1572 yards. Terrance Gannaway has had a sensational season at tailback, as he has scored 16 touchdowns and rushed for over 1300 yards. This offense had video game numbers and look for that to continue in the Alamo Bowl.

Defense: Washington , like Baylor has a poor defense. The Huskies give up 33.3 points a game. They have struggled tackling and do not descriminate. They give up big plays through the air and on the ground. For Washington to slow down the Bears, LB Cort Dennison, the team's leading tackler, will have to have a big game. SS Sean Parker is the leading intercepter for the Huskies and is also second on the team in tackles. Baylor will need a solid defensive effort to slow down Washington's potent offense. They give up a slightly worse 35.7 points a game. They gave up less than 24 points only once this season, a week 2 shutout win over Stephen F. Austin. No offense to the Lumberjacks, but Washington will pose a bigger threat. (Not really a neccesary statement, but I feel obliged to talk about the Lumberjacks every chance I get). SS Sam Holl is the anchor of the defense. The leading tackler, he also has 3 interceptions. DT Nicholas Jean-Baptiste is a force, leading the team with 8.5 tackles for loss.

The pick: I like Baylor to win this game. I think Washington has a better defense, but Baylor has a better offense. Offense beats defense in this one. If you agree or disagree let me know why by tweeting me @bowlseason or emailing me at ryzim22@yahoo.com . I'll post them if you send them.

We picked BAylor to win. We are now 9-5/ 4 game winning streak!

Bob Condotta, of The Seattle Times, answered some questions for us about UW.

BS: The Huskies are into a second consecutive bowl game under Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. How would you evaluate this season overall and what can you say about the direction that Sarkisian has this program headed in?

Bob Condotta:The Huskies have made definite progress in Sarkisian's three years, going 19-19 under him so far after not having had a winning season since 2002 when he arrived. As his won-loss record indicates, Sarkisian has done a good job of righting the ship and getting the Huskies back to an overall competitive level. The trick now is to take the next step to true contender status. UW was not able to do that this season (or so far, anyway) losing all four games it played against ranked teams by 13 points or more, with none of the games close going into the fourth quarter. When UW was 5-1 at the midway point and ranked in the top 25, there was hope that the Huskies had truly turned a corner. But losses in four of the next five, all by decisive margins, indicated there is still work to do.


BS: Even with life after Locker, the Huskies managed to score over 30 points led by the rushing of Chris Polk and the record setting season of QB Keith Price. What makes this offense successful and who are some other key guys on that unit?

Bob Condotta: As you mention, Price and Polk are the keys to it all. Polk is one of the best running backs in school history, a tough and physical runner who gets a lot of yards on his own. Price was the early-season revelation on this team, and among the bigger surprises in the nation, as he seamlessly took over for the graduated Jake Locker, throwing 21 touchdown passes in UW's first six games. Price was helped by a much-improved receiving corps aided by the addition of true freshman tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins --- who looks like he may indeed be a first-round pick a few years from now --- and fellow true frosh receiver Kasen Williams. Those two added to seniors Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar to give the Huskies a deeper receiving corps this year.

BS: The defense was a real problem at times this season. What has gone wrong and what can this group do to have success in the bowl game?

Bob Condotta: The defense has been the main bone of contention for UW and its fans this year as the Huskies have not shown the ability to consistently stop anybody. Everything has been to blame at some point as UW has been torched equally by the run or the pass depending on what the opponent wanted to do that week. The single biggest issue has probably been the lack of a consistent pass rush, though that got a little better at the end of the season. Tackling has also been a problem at times, as has coverage in the secondary. UW lost some key seniors last year, notably linebacker Mason Foster, now with Tampa Bay in the NFL, and has not really replaced their big-playmaking ability.


BS: If you could choose one player to have a breakout performance in the bowl game, who would it be?

Bob Condotta: Maybe Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a fabulously talented tight end who is a tough matchup for anyone. He dropped a couple passes later in the year and seems motivated to make amends and finish the season on a high note.

Thanks a lot to Bob Condotta. Check his work out at www.seattletimes.com and follow @bcondotta