Stanford charged with solving mystery team Washington

Recommended Video:

For a team that is 4-0, Washington is a riddle wrapped in an enigma, shrouded in purple and gold.

Since first-year head coach Chris Petersen made the jump from Boise State, the Huskies have struggled to beat Hawaii, given up 52 points to FCS-level Eastern Washington and endured a terrible first half against Georgia State.

On the other hand, Washington pounded Illinois 44-19 and rallied in the second half against Georgia State with 45 unanswered points Saturday.

Does this schizophrenic personality make Washington harder for Stanford to prepare for going into Saturday afternoon’s game at Husky Stadium?

Not any more than any other good team, head coach David Shaw said Tuesday. For one thing, there’s a lot schizophrenia going around in college football.

UW is experiencing “moments of absolute dominance on both sides of the ball and moments where it’s not quite all together,” Shaw said. “It honestly sounds like a lot of really good teams around the nation. … I don’t think there’s really a dominant team in college football right now.”

The No. 16 Cardinal (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12), who have hit some sour notes themselves, are coming off a bye and know they can’t afford another conference loss if they want to reach the Pac-12 title game.

This will be their first visit to Husky Stadium since its refurbishing was completed last year, and it will be very loud. That could be a problem for Stanford’s inexperienced offensive line.

Jeff Lindquist runs for one of Washington’s second-half TDS against Georgia State. Jeff Lindquist runs for one of Washington’s second-half TDS against Georgia State. Photo: Elaine Thompson, STF / Associated Press Photo: Elaine Thompson, STF / Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Stanford charged with solving mystery team Washington 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

“You’re not going to be able to hear all the calls,” Shaw said. “You have to be able to anticipate the calls. When you do communicate, you’d better do it quickly and succinctly.”

There are other problems aside from the din. One is 6-foot-2, 339-pound senior Danny Shelton, who leads the nation with seven sacks and is second in that department on a per-game average. That’s especially noteworthy because Shelton is a nose tackle and usually is being double-teamed.

Another defensive lineman, Hau’oli Kikaha, who was known by the last name Jamora until last season, is right behind Shelton with six sacks. Then there are linebacker Shaq Thompson, who scored on both an interception and a fumble recovery against Illinois, and cornerback Marcus Peters, a McClymonds-Oakland alum.

The Huskies have a new quarterback, 6-4 sophomore Cyler Miles, and, like Stanford, a tailback-by-committee, led by Dwayne Washington and Lavon Coleman. Last year’s Keith Price-Bishop Sankey backfield is gone, and that might help explain why the Huskies are last in the Pac-12 in total offense and passing offense.

Stanford is well aware, though, that this is very dangerous team. Wide receiver/kickoff returner John Ross, who sat out the Georgia State game with an undisclosed injury, is a burner. He’s right up there with Stanford’s Ty Montgomery in all-purpose yards. Montgomery (156 per game) ranks 13th in the nation, and Ross (155) is 15th.

“When you watch Washington at their best, they’re as good as anybody playing right now,” Shaw said. “They’re scary.”

Tom Fitzgerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: tfitzgerald@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @tomgfitzgerald