Many have tried and failed to replicate what the 2019 LSU Tigers did on offense. Most teams lacked the talent and the cohesion to do so, but it’s looking like the 2023 version of the Washington Huskies has what it takes to keep pace.
An explosive group has big goals, and now it’s looking like those goals are turning legendary.
2023 Washington Huskies Statistical Pace
One of the best things about LSU’s national championship in 2019 was that they put up big numbers against everyone. It didn’t matter the opponent. The fact that they did it in the SEC also added another element of greatness.
The Huskies are also in a Power Five conference, so they’ll get a chance to prove their worth.
It will be a tough slate to tread through, but this team has the opportunity to achieve legendary status. To stay tuned to their pace, use the table below.
| 2019 LSU | SCORE | TOTAL YARDS | 2023 WASHINGTON | SCORE | TOTAL YARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Southern | W 55-3 | 472 | Boise State | W 56-19 | 568 |
| at 9 Texas | W5-38 | 573 | Tulsa | W 43-10 | 563 |
| Northwestern State | W 65-14 | 610 | at Michigan State | W 41-7 | 713 |
| at Vanderbilt | W 66-38 | 418 | Cal | W 59-32 | 529 |
| Utah State | W 42-6 | 601 | at Arizona | W 31-27 | 474 |
| 7 Florida | W 42-28 | 511 | 8 Oregon | W 36-33 | 415 |
| at Mississippi State | W 36-13 | 413 | Arizona State | W, 15-7 | 288 |
| 9 Auburn | W 23-20 | 508 | at Stanford | W, 42-33 | 460 |
| at 3 Alabama | W 46-41 | 559 | at 20 USC | W, 52-42 | 572 |
| at Ole Miss | W 58-37 | 714 | 18 Utah | W, 35-28 | 457 |
| Arkansas | W 56-20 | 612 | at 16 Oregon State | W, 22-21 | 272 |
| Texas A&M | W 50-7 | 553 | Washington State | ||
| 4 Georgia * | W 37-10 | 481 | Conf. Championship* | ||
| 4 Oklahoma * | W 63-28 | 692 | Playoff/Bowl Game* | ||
| 3 Clemson * | W 42-25 | 628 | National Championship* | ||
| *postseason play | *must qualify | ||||
| TOTAL YARDS | 8345 | TOTAL YARDS | 5311 | ||
| YPG | 556.33 | YPG | 482.8 |
The goal to beat is 8,345 yards for the Huskies, a tough feat given the quality of teams they’ll face in the Pac-12. To do so, they need the right guys in place.
LSU had an elite quarterback with a plethora of skill players around him, something that this Huskies team also possesses.
QB Michael Penix Jr. Leads Washington
This is your reminder that not only are the Washington Huskies on record pace, but Michael Penix Jr. could break some records of his own. Similar to LSU’s Joe Burrow, his performance this season could help him win the Heisman Trophy, and would put his team in a great place for a championship.
If not for a good quarterback, Washington certainly would not have a chance of keeping this pace. It doesn’t matter how good the skill positions are if you can’t get them the football. Penix and his big arm give the Huskies a difference maker who has a bright future, and he’s on pace to challenge the record for passing yards in a season.
If Washington makes it to the conference championship and the national championship, Penix is on pace to put him at the top of the list for passing yards in a single season, a record broken Western Kentucky’s Bailey Zappe in 2021.
Even if he doesn’t break the record this year, he is likely to join some elite company.
The Top 10 seasons for passing yards include:
- Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky – 5,967
- B.J. Symons, Texas Tech – 5,833
- Graham Harrell, Texas Tech – 5,705
- Joe Burrow, LSU – 5,671
- Case Keenum, Houston – 5,671
- Case Keenum, Houston – 5,631
- Anthony Gordon, Washington State – 5,579
- Colt Brennan, Hawaii – 5,549
- Ty Detmer, BYU – 5,188
- David Klingler, Houston – 5,140
Washington’s Wide Receivers Are Elite
One thing discussed repeatedly with the 2019 LSU team was the trio of wide receivers that tormented the SEC: Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall Jr. played a huge role in the Tigers’ success and helped Burrow win his Heisman.
The trio combined for 3,991 yards and 51 touchdowns. Chase finished the year second in the country in yards per game (127.1), while Jefferson was just behind him at ninth (102.7). Chase and Jefferson were also first and second in receiving touchdowns that year, respectively, with Marshall finishing seventh.
The Huskies have a similar situation this year: Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk continue wreaking havoc on the defensive backfields they face. The only thing that’s limited any of them is McMillan’s health.
Midway through the 2023 season, Odunze and Polk are top 20 in the country in yards per game, and all three are top 40 in touchdowns this year. At their current rate, they’d make the Tigers trio an afterthought.
Keeping this pace up is tough, but LSU showed it can be done even against the best competition.