Cal Football: 5 Questions for Washington Huskies Beat Writer

Dan Raley of Inside the Huskies talks about coach Kalen DeBoer, QB Michael Penix Jr.,and UW's chances of reach the College Football Playoff.

Prior to Cal's Pac-12 opener on Saturday night in Seattle against No. 8 Washington, we sought out our old friend Dan Raley, who has covered the team for four decades, and asked him 5 Questions about the Huskies.

In the video above, he answers the first of those questions: 

1) As far as I can tell, no one — not even Don James or Chris Petersen — had as successful a start to his UW coaching career as Kalen DeBoer, who is 14-2 three games into his second season. What are the one or two things he has done that most impacted the Huskies’ turnaround under his reign?

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2) Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was terrific last season, but through three games he is leading the nation with 444 passing yards per game and has 12 touchdowns and just one interception. In the video above, Raley explains in what ways Penix is a better player than he was last season?

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3) Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk give Washington the only group of three of receivers in the country all averaging at least 100 yards per game. The Huskies have allowed just one sack, so Penix seems to be getting plenty of time. Having watched them operate, Raley addresses what can defenses possibly do slow down that trio of pass catchers?

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4) The Pac-12, in its final season, seems deeper and more than talented than ever, with eight teams ranked in the Top-25. What are the keys to the Huskies winning the conference title? How does this team compare with UW's 1991 national championship squad? And do you think they have a legitimate shot at reaching the College Football Playoff?

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5) This will be the 102nd meeting between Washington and Cal, a series dating back to 1904. But this rivalry and others will end with the breakup of the Pac-12 after this season. I’m wondering what folks in Seattle think about the Huskies leaving for the Big Ten and saying goodbye to more than a century of traditions?

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Cover photo of Washington coach Kalen DeBoer by Dale Young, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo