Huskies gearing up for Pac-12 Championship battle

The No. 11 Washington Huskies are getting ready to battle for the Pac-12 Championship Friday night when they face the No. 17 Utah Utes. The Huskies were able to punch their ticket to the title game after beating their rival, Washington State, in last weekend’s Apple Cup. This will be the second meeting between the Huskies and Utes this season. Washington won in the regular season, 21-7, in Utah.

No. 10 Washington will face No. 17 Utah in the #Pac12FCG on Friday at 5PM on FOX.#PurpleReign

>> https://t.co/pCfQ8fQ2q1 pic.twitter.com/e2DL5NI1Rt

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 25, 2018

How They Got Here

After a 9-3 overall record, complemented by a 7-2 conference record, the Huskies were able to lock up the Pac-12 North division when they defeated Washington State. After a strong season, the Huskies were able to accomplish their goal of playing for the conference title.

Huskies head coach Chris Peterson on team reaching conference championship.

The Huskies were able to finish the regular season on a 3-game winning streak which has helped get them to the championship game. In their winning streak, the Huskies rushing attack has come alive.

Running back Myles Gaskin is running wild, as he’s reached at least 130 yards on the ground in the last three wins for the Huskies. Gaskin has also found the end zone five times in that span, including a 3-touchdown performance in the Apple Cup.

Myles Gaskin.

Offensive Player of the Week ☔️#PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/jTZIOQ0BYQ

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 27, 2018

The Opponent Ahead

The Huskies and the Utes met earlier in the season, but lots of things have changed for both teams since Week 3. Utah also finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, going 6-3 in the Pac-12 to win the South division.

Peterson on Utah. 

Utah enters Friday’s Pac-12 Championship game as the more injured team, missing key pieces. The Utes will be without starting quarterback Tyler Huntley and 1,000-yard rusher, Zack Moss. Moss is one of four Utah running backs to have two 1,000-yard seasons.

https://twitter.com/Utah_Football/status/1066723395021168640

New Man Under Center

When the two teams met in September, Huntley was running the show for the Utes offense. That won’t be the case Friday as Huntley is still out with a broken collarbone, leaving freshman Jason Shelley in charge.

Peterson on Shelley’s game. 

Shelley is coming off a 2-touchdown performance against BYU, scoring both through the air and on the ground. Shelley’s dual-threat ability will be key against Washington’s strong front-seven.

Game Info

Kickoff between the No. 11 Washington and No. 17 Utah is set for 8 p.m ET from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.