Idaho State @ Washington preview

Bishop Sankey leads the nation in rushing but the Washington junior might not be on the field long this Saturday when the No. 20 Huskies host overmatched FCS school Idaho State. Sankey rushed for a career-best 208 yards in last week’s victory over Illinois and has 369 yards – on a solid 6.2 average – in Washington’s two victories. Idaho State is 2-0 for the first time since 1999 but the victories have come against Division II programs Dixie State and Western State.

The Bengals have lost 18 consecutive games against FBS opponents and were shellacked 73-7 last season by Nebraska in their most-recent tilt against a major-college program. Washington averaged 36 points and 603.5 yards while beating Boise State and Illinois and should be in line for another highly productive outing against Idaho State, which went 1-10 last season – including 0-8 in Big Sky play. Huskies quarterback Keith Price has completed 77.3 percent of his passes this season.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: None.

ABOUT IDAHO STATE (2-0): The Bengals rolled up the yardage against the two Division II opponents with junior quarterback Justin Arias (868 yards) topping 400 yards in each game and senior receiver Cameron Richmond making a combined 21 receptions for 301 yards. Arias is completing 66.3 percent of his passes for four touchdowns but will be hard-pressed to come close to a high-yardage output against a Pac-12 defense. Junior middle linebacker Mitch Beckstead has a team-high 18 tackles and Idaho State has recorded 10 sacks after compiling nine all of last season.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (2-0): Price (6,619) has topped 300 yards in both games and moved into third place on the school’s career passing-yardage list (passing Brock Huard, 6,391 from 1996-98) with a 342-yard performance against Illinois. Junior tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins had just three receptions for eight yards against the Fighting Illini after missing the opener due to a suspension, while sophomore wideout Jaydon Mickens has been highly productive in the first two games with 17 receptions. Junior defensive end Josh Shirley has three sacks, while junior middle linebacker John Timu (team-high 18 tackles) is questionable after bruising his right rotator cuff against Illinois.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington last opened with three consecutive wins in 2001 as part of a 4-0 start under Rick Neuheisel.

2. Idaho State has lost 38 consecutive road games since defeating Northern Colorado in 2006.

3. The Huskies have converted 21-of-31 third-down opportunities and their 67.7 percent conversion rate is third-best nationally.

PREDICTION: Washington 59, Idaho State 6