The Pioneer Press asked Andy Yamashita, the Washington Huskies beat writer for the Seattle Times, to answer five questions about the Big Ten opener between the Gophers and Washington on Saturday at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

Here’s what Yamashita said in the debut of a new series called Opposition Research:

1. Washington is 3-0, but the level of competition appears to be low — even with the Apple Cup rivalry win over Washington State, 24-10. What have you learned about the Huskies through nonconference play and what questions still remain?

It’s mostly questions still for the Huskies. Washington underwhelmed against two Group of Six opponents — Washington State and Utah State — before beating up on FCS-level Eastern Washington last weekend.

The defense, outside of a penchant for penalties, has looked like a borderline elite unit under second-year defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, but the biggest questions appear on offense. Particularly in UW’s run game. The Huskies tallied a season-high 148 yards rushing in their most recent outing, but their offensive line, projected as a strength with four returning starters from 2025, failed to impose itself against either WSU or USU. Washington’s ground attack hasn’t been helped by a series of injuries at running back.

Junior Jordan Washington, UW’s leading returning rusher, sustained a serious neck injury during UW’s spring practices and will be sidelined for at least two more months, if he returns at all. Sophomore Quaid Carr (hand) and senior Jayden Limar (elbow) suffered long-term injuries during UW’s season-opening win against WSU. So the Huskies are relying on a pair of freshmen, Brian Bonner Jr. and Ansu Sanoe, along with sixth-year Troy transfer Trey Cooley.

Washington has also been missing senior center and two-year captain Landen Hatchett, who hasn’t played in 2026 while recovering from a wrist fracture he suffered in October 2025.

Minnesota will be the most talented defensive line Washington has faced in this young season.

2. Quarterback Demond Williams is clearly atop the Huskies scouting report. What makes him so difficult to stop and who does he miss in the pass game?

It’s easy to point to Williams’ running ability as the part of his game that makes him difficult to defend (he has a team-high 150 rushing yards), but accuracy has generally been his most-important trait as a quarterback. Williams’ 2025 campaign, his first as a starter, ranks second in UW program history for single-season completion percentage. His career 71% mark is a program record.

But Williams has endured some inaccurate throws early in 2026, particularly as he looks to build chemistry with a new cast of receivers. UW also lost starting wideout Christian Moss, a Kennesaw State transfer, to a long-term lower body injury on the second play of the Apple Cup. Moss was expected to carry the load previously shouldered by Denzel Boston (now with Cleveland Browns) and took effectively every first-team rep with Williams during fall camp. Now, Williams is dealing with a host of intriguing but inexperienced freshman receivers.

3. Gophers fans are familiar with Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters after his stints at Purdue and Illinois. His unit is 25th in nation at 4.3 yards per play. What has made them stout on that side of the ball so far this season?

Washington entered 2026 knowing it was returning some significant defensive talent. Safety Alex McLaughlin, a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention, was one of four defensive backs who started a game at UW in 2025, and UW’s linebacker rotation features four players who started multiple games for UW a season ago.

But the key to UW’s strong defensive start has probably been its defensive line. Washington gave up 100 yards rushing per game in Walters’ first season in 2025. But UW lost a host of defensive tackles to the transfer portal and the NFL after 2025, leaving a massive question mark in the heart of their defense. Only Elinneus Davis, a Moorhead, Minn., native, remained out of UW’s top four defensive tackles from 2025.

Freshman Derek Colman-Brusa was the top player in Washington state during the 2026 recruiting cycle. He initially signed with UW as an edge rusher, but moved inside to tackle after adding nearly 30 pounds during his first four months on campus.

4. Minnesota fans are excited for a road trip to Seattle. What makes the environment at Husky Stadium so unique and challenging to play in?

For starters, Husky Stadium gets loud. The cantilevered roofs are designed to trap sound in the stadium, creating one of the loudest environments in college football. Additionally, Washington, a quarter-system school, only got its students back on campus this week, meaning it will likely be a full student section. Add in the planned “black out,” the 10 p.m. CT kickoff and Husky Stadium creates an imposing atmosphere.

Since arriving in 2024, coach Jedd Fisch is 14-2 at home, with his only loses against College Football Playoff teams Ohio State and Oregon in 2025.

5. What are your keys to the game and score prediction?

This game is most interesting to me on the offensive and defensive lines. Can Washington effectively limit the Minnesota run game like Mississippi State did two weeks ago? How does Colman-Brusa fare against a Minnesota interior offensive line led by Greg Johnson? Can UW force Drake Lindsey to throw the ball more against a defense currently ranked fifth nationally in interceptions (five)?

And on the flip side, how does UW’s offensive line, and particularly freshman left tackle Kodi Greene, handle Anthony Smith? Can Washington’s young running backs handle a linebacker like Maverick Baranowski? Can Washington’s young receivers consistently win one-on-one matchups like they did against EWU?

It will be a fascinating game for both sides. But the late kickoff and the travel, plus Fisch’s record at Husky Stadium, make me lean Washington.

Washington 26, Gophers 17

Source: Yahoo Sports