Michigan Football: 5 things you need to know about Washington
By Alex Hinton
Huskies will be short-handed at wide receiver
Washington’s loss was not all on Morris as the Huskies started the game without receivers Terrell Bynum, Jalen McMillan, and Rome Odunze. Texas Tech transfer Ja’Lynn Polk caught a pass on the first play of the game, left the game with a chest injury, and did not return.
Polk underwent emergency surgery and Washington probably will not have him back until their bowl game. Meanwhile, the injuries for Bynum, Odunze, and McMillan have been classified as “week-to-week.” You can infer they will be out against Michigan as well.
If the Huskies are again without their top four receivers, its passing attack will be severely limited. Washington only listed four scholarship receivers on this week’s depth chart, Michigan transfer Giles Jackson, Taj Davis, Jabez Tinae, and Sawyer Racanelli.
The Huskies may have to turn to walk-on David Pritchard and former wide receiver Alex Cook for additional snaps. Against Montana, Washington’s wide receivers struggled to win against man coverage. We know the Wolverines will run a heavy dose of man coverage.
To mask its limited receiver depth, Washington could run more 12 and 22 personnel to get more two tight ends sets on the field.
Washington does have one of the best tight ends in the country in Cade Otton. He will be the focus of the Wolverines game plan after hauling eight passes for 82 yards against Montana. Michigan football will have options in defending him with both Daxton Hill and RJ Moten on the field.