Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins on Washington's stout defense: 'We're not worried'

In a fantastic matchup between an elite offense and an elite defense, No. 6 Ohio State (12-1) will meet up with No. 9 Washington (10-3) in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

Behind record-breaking quarterback Dwayne Haskins and a deadly wide receiver unit, the Buckeyes enter bowl season 7th in the nation in points scored per game (43.5), 2nd in total offense behind only Oklahoma (548.8 ypg), 1st in first downs (29.3), 10th in third down conversion rate (48.2 percent) and 2nd in plays of 10 yards or more (257). The offense scored at least 40 points in eight games this season, including 159 over its last three appearances (53 ppg).

Meanwhile, Washington’s defense has been nearly just as good. The Pac-12 champions sit at 5th in the country in points allowed (15.5), 12th in total defense (301.8 yapg), 10th in opponent first downs (16.5), 17th in plays of 10 yards or more allowed (138), and t-1st in fumbles forced (18). The Huskies held opponents to 15 points or less in seven games in 2018, featuring an emphatic 10-3 win over Utah in the conference title game.

With NFL talent across the board for each party, Haskins believes his group has a distinct advantage:

Dwayne Haskins feeling confident going up against the Washington defense.

"We're not worried about what the verdict is as far as what people think is the best defensive in the country because we feel like we're the best offense in the country." pic.twitter.com/RqlpPW15Yv

— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) December 29, 2018

You have to respect the confidence. And after dropping 62 on Michigan — which is considered to have a top-5 defense — Haskins has every reason to think just that.

The Rose Bowl will kick off at 5 p.m. EST on ESPN come New Year’s Day.