The Washington Huskies return in 2017 looking to return to the top of the Pac-12, but it could be a lot more difficult than last season.
The Washington Huskies had a historic 2016 season. They went 12-2, finishing ranked fourth in the AP Poll with their first bid to the College Football Playoff. Chris Petersen is beginning to find success after his third season as the Huskies head coach. He led the Huskies to their first 12-win season since 1991 when the team went 12-0 under head coach Don James.
They were eighth in points per game (41.8) and eighth in scoring defense (17.7 ppg) in the FBS en route to winning the Pac-12 Championship in 2016. Now, Washington is without wide receiver John Ross on offense and a trio of cornerbacks who contributed mightily on defense.
The Huskies won their first Pac-12 title since 1995 and look to win back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1990 and 1991 seasons. Things may not be tougher for them in the Pac-12 North division, but with the USC Trojans lurking on the other side, it’s hard to predict the Huskies winning the Pac-12 again next season.