Lane Kiffin compares Washington defense to elite SEC unit
By Andrew Olson
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In the conversation leading up to the Peach Bowl, much has been made of how Washington coach Chris Petersen’s trick plays and varying formations on offense might be able to confuse the Alabama defense. The matchup of the Crimson Tide offense against the Washington defense gets a lot less attention, but UA offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said that the Huskies remind him of an elite SEC defense.
“It would be most like Florida when Florida was healthy,” Kiffin said, per Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times. “I think when Florida was healthy — they got beat up at the end of the year and were missing some guys — but I think Florida would have been one of the top couple of defenses in the whole country.”
Kiffin using the Florida defense to compliment Washington might have some readers rolling their eyes considering the Crimson Tide won the SEC Championship Game 54-16 over the Gators. As Kiffin noted, however, the injury bug hit UF hard, particularly in November. The Gators were notably without starters DE Jordan Sherit, LB Alex Anzalone and S Marcus Maye among others.
Even with rough outings against FSU and Alabama, the Gators finished No. 6 nationally in total defense. Kiffin’s admiration of the Gator defense was also known prior to the two teams’ meeting in Atlanta.
At team hotel, Monte Kiffin just told me Lane was really hoping LSU would win. Thinks UF defense gonna be real pain to deal with. FWIW.
— Frank Frangie (@Frank_Frangie) November 19, 2016
Kiffin didn’t stop there with the high praise for Washington, which ranks No. 16 in total defense.
“I think these guys are similar,” Kiffin said. “(The Huskies) are fast. They have a really good secondary. Both corners are NFL players. Their defense reminds me of the Seattle Seahawks.”
Alabama fans are certainly hoping the offense plays like it did against Florida, and not so much like a hypothetical matchup with the Legion of Boom.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
