Push and Shove Texas Secondary Could Be an Adjustment for UW

NEW ORLEANS — To beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl, the University of Washington has three primary objectives to meet on offense in Monday night's game in the CFP semifinals in New Orleans, so says Husky play-calling mastermind Ryan Grubb.

In no particular order. the UW needs to run the football in a consistent manner with Dillon Johnson packing it, as always keep the Longhorns' extra talented defensive front from getting its hands on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the pocket and, maybe most importantly, get physical with the bump-and-run Texas secondary.

The latter group, rather than Outland Trophy-winning defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat and friends, could represent the biggest adjustment for Grubb's Husky personnel once the postseason game kicks off.

"I think they're really physical in the back," the offensive coordinator said. "I think that's something they do really, really well, that can surprise you if you haven't played football in a while."

The Longhorns rely on cornerbacks Ryan Watts and Terrance Brooks, safeties Jerrin Thompson and Michael Taaffe and nickelback Jahdae Barron to rough up opposing pass-catchers.

Watts and Thompson were starters against the Huskies in last year's Alamo Bowl while the others are new first-teamers. Collectively, this group might be better than the one that gave up a pair of touchdown passes in the UW's 27-20 victory in San Antonio. The initial exchange carries some shock value.

"You get out in the back half and they have their hands on you and they hold and grab and press and push a lot," Grubb said. "We have just got to get used to the physicality of the back end. If we can clear ourselves from the defense, I think we have a chance to get open, for sure."

Taaffe and Thompson each have a team-leading 3 interceptions this season, while the latter leads the Longhorns with 7 pass break-ups.

If Texas comes up short anywhere in its secondary, the safety depth has taken a bit of hit. Senior Jalen Cathlan since has entered the transfer portal while freshman Derek Williams, a well-utilized player, will miss the first half of the Sugar Bowl while serving out the rest of his ejection for targeting in the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma State.

"Their main guys, their starters will be there," Grubb said. "So it's more of a little bit of a substitution difference."

Go to si.com/college/washington to read the latest Inside the Huskies stories — as soon as they’re published. Not all stories are posted on the fan sites.

Find Inside the Huskies on Facebook by searching: Inside Huskies/FanNation at SI.com or https://www.facebook.com/dan.raley.12

Follow Dan Raley of Inside the Huskies on Twitter: @DanRaley1 or @UWFanNation or @DanRaley3

Have a question, direct message me on Facebook or Twitter.