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Pac-12 Football: Top 10 players heading into spring games

By Zach Bigalke

Mar 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) carries the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pac-12 championship at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) carries the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pac-12 championship at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Browning received plenty of accolades last season as Washington advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but Myles Gaskin is the catalyst that opens everything up for the Huskies.

When Gaskin is able to maintain momentum on the ground for the Huskies, it forces defenses to remain honest and allows Browning more room to operate. When Gaskin struggled in 2016, the whole team struggled. Look no further than Washington’s two losses in 2016.

Against Alabama in the Peach Bowl, his inability to get consistent rushing yardage (34 yards on 10 carries) prevented UW from effectively working their offense against the Crimson Tide. USC also managed to hold Gaskin to just 3.4 yards per carry (51 yards on 15 carries) in Washington’s only loss of Pac-12 play.

Chris Petersen and the rest of the offense will need Gaskin to take the next step in order to successfully defend their Pac-12 crown and get back in the national title hunt.

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