5 Reasons BYU wins/loses at UW

This is the big one. Actually, it's the first of four "Big Ones" on BYU's 2008 football schedule. On the Quest for Perfection, the biggest obstacles to an unbeaten record and BCS bid are Washington, UCLA, TCU and Utah. The first of those four takes place this Saturday in Seattle, a place the Cougars are 0-3 all time.
Below are five reasons BYU will lose to the Huskies and five reasons the Cougars move to 2-0.

5 Reasons BYU loses at Washington

1. History: Not only is BYU winless in its previous trips to Washington (including the lone loss in a 14-1 season in 1996), but the Cougars have lost NINE straight nonconference road games. History is not on the Y's side this week.

2. Jake Locker. Mobile quarterbacks can give a defense headaches, especially a defense as green as BYU's. The Cougars made a couple key assignments miscues against Northern Iowa. If that happens again, UW could put up some points Saturday.

3. Overconfidence. It's apparent, and it's been admitted by coaches and players, that BYU was overconfident entering the UNI game. Another "cruise-control" effort or even a few plays of going through the motions could bring a premature end to an unbeaten run.

4. Turnovers. Five fumbles (four lost) against the I-AA Panthers is a bad sign. Against a more talented Husky team, it could be fatal. BYU needs a healthy Harvey Unga all game to avoid having backups in the game too often. Against UNI, J.J. Diluigi and Wayne Latu coughed up the ball to kill promising drives into UNI territory.

5. Pac-10 officials: If the game is remotely close, BYU could be in trouble as Washington will get the bulk of the breaks and the calls. One or two plays/calls could spell the difference if this road opener is tight in the fourth quarter.

5 reasons BYU wins at Washington

1. They're due. The Cougars finally appear to have the experience and the coaching to overcome their early-season road woes. A stellar performance in Seattle puts those demons to bed once and for all.

2. Max Hall. Hall was crisp and sharp in the opener, outside of a couple errant throws to Austin Collie. Going 34 of 41 for nearly 500 yards in an opener is a sign of incredible things to come for the junior, who could pick apart UW's secondary all afternoon.

3. Weapons. UW's defense struggled to stop Oregon's high-powered offense. While BYU lacks the team speed of the Ducks, the Cougars actually have more weapons and more experience offensively than Oregon. A questionable Husky defense will have nightmares matching up with Unga, Collie, Pitta and Fui Vakapuna, who adds one more weapon after sitting out the opener.

4. Lessons learned. Bronco Mendenhall said he was grateful for the miscues against UNI. He's hoping a humble BYU team comes to practice ready to listen and learn this week. If it happens, BYU will be prepared and play with an edge on Saturday.

5. UW issues. Washington looked confused and unprepared against Oregon, outside of some decent play in the second quarter. With problems on offense and defense, a coach on the hot seat in Tyrone Willingham and a restless fan base, the Huskies just aren't in a position to beat BYU right now. A few early miscues could bring out the boo birds and aid the Cougar cause.