While this topic hasn’t been ignored, the Huskies’ defense is much less discussed than their offense. Let’s start with a summary: UW has some standout athletes on defense but they are getting it done with teamwork and scheme more than with talent. The overall concept is to create doubt and confusion in the mind of opposing players. A lot of effort goes into disguising multiple aspects of the defense. The base scheme is a 4-2 nickel defense.
The secondary disguises coverage with heavy (80-90%) reliance on zone. The exact number is hard to pin down because Morrell often employs pattern matching in his zone schemes. The base seems to be Cover 3 with enough Quarters and man to create doubt. Even in cover 3 the corners can play bail technique to alter the pre snap read. There will be holes in the coverage, UW is hoping to delay the read and recognition long enough for the pass rush to get home. The Dabs tend to be big and physical as there is less need for a boundary CB to cover the best WR all over the field. That has helped create INTs and makes them stronger in run support.
The D-Line plays with 3 down and a stand up rush end most of the time. In pass defense, they almost always rush 4, only rarely bringing an extra man. They are disciplined in their rush lanes but play a lot of games to create free rushers. Lots of stunting and looping to confuse locking assignments. Ditto with fake pressures. Sometimes they insert a LB and zone drop a DL but they bring 5+ less than 10% of the time. The games mean early pass rush is not very effective and the long path to the QB means stunting free runners lead to delayed pressure. The disguised coverage on the back end is designed to help this delayed rush get to the QB. But they only have 19 sacks despite having an NFL quality DE.
The LBs hold this system together. Inge asks a lot of them but the DL play is designed to keep them clean on most plays. Against the run, the line is supposed to absorb blocks and let the LBs pursue the ball. One of them will have force responsibility and RB coverage to the non-nickel side. They will be challenged to force on outside runs, cover inside short zones and fill against inside runs. A see a lot of swing passes and RPO in their future.
Note: This is just a basic overview to start the conversation. I’m sure some of our more informed posters can help fill in the details.