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.
5. The secondary won’t be the same in 2017
The Washington Huskies were a great defensive team last season, especially their secondary. However, losing their top three players could cost them when it comes to facing stiffer competition.
The Huskies won’t have Sidney Jones, Kevin King and Budda Baker next season. While King was out of eligibility, Jones and Baker both left early for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jones, King and Baker combined for six interceptions in 2016, snagging two picks each. Baker led the team in tackles (70) and tackles for loss (9.5). King led the team in pass break ups with 13. Jones finished his collegiate career with eight interceptions in three seasons.
It will be hard to replace what the trio did for the Huskies last year. On the bright side, they do return redshirt freshman Taylor Rapp. Rapp was the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Huskies with four interceptions last season.
In a pass-happy Pac-12, it will be hard for the Huskies to duplicate their 2016 success. They allowed 182.9 passing yards per game last season, first in the Pac-12.
4. Replacing John Ross will be hard to do
The departure of wide receiver John Ross is a huge blow to the Washington Huskies’ offense. As quarterback Jake Browning’s favorite target on offense, Ross caught 81 receptions for 1,150 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
On special teams, Ross returned 17 kickoffs for an average of 24.2 yards, fourth in the Pac-12. He also had one kickoff return for a touchdown. Replacing Ross’ contributions will be rather difficult for the Huskies offense. Ross was electric after returning in the 2015 offseason from a re-aggravated torn meniscus injury.
The Huskies return wide receiver Dante Pettis. Pettis caught 53 passes for 822 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He also returned 25 punts for 287 return yards and two touchdowns. However, after Pettis, there’s a big drop off in production.
Wide receiver Chico McClatcher caught 31 passes for 574 receiving yards and five touchdowns and started in three games last season. True freshman wide receiver Aaron Fuller caught 16 passes for 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns after four starts in 2016.
If the Huskies want to get over the hump, they’ll need to develop some new weapons for Browning to throw to, or the championship could be theirs to lose.
3. The Pac-12 is on notice in regards to the Washington Huskies
After running the table in the Pac-12 last season, the rest of the conference is sure to be on notice. Although their schedule looks relatively easy, things won’t be as easy in 2017.
Earning a bid to the College Football Playoff could prove to be a whole lot tougher this season, even without the USC Trojans on the schedule. The Washington Huskies won two games in conference by seven points last season, both on the road. One came over the Arizona Wildcats, the other over the Utah Utes. This season, games could be a whole lot closer with different outcomes.
They open conference play on the road against the Colorado Buffaloes, an up-and-coming team. Then they face the UCLA Bruins on October 28, a team who looks to have a much better year than 2016. After the Bruins, Washington faces Oregon, the Stanford Cardinal on the road, the Utah Utes, then their in-state rival the Washington State Cougars.
2. Oregon will be looking for blood
Compounding on the Pac-12 being on notice, one game that should be of extra importance to the Washington Huskies is on November 4 against the Oregon Ducks.
The Huskies didn’t hold anything back last season when they put up 70 points on the Ducks. Washington defeated Oregon 70-21 on the road to snap a 12-game losing streak dating back to the 2003 season. It was the most points scored in Autzen Stadium in 75 years.
Quarterback Jake Browning threw 304 passing yards and had a school-record six touchdown passes while running for two more with his legs.
Even though the Washington Huskies hold the edge in the overall series (59-45-5), the Ducks are under the direction of head coach Willie Taggart now. Unlike his other head coaching jobs, Taggart acquires a talent-laden roster and brings along with him a dynamic offense.
The Huskies spent much of the season thumping conference rivals who had done similar to them in the past. Look for their game against Oregon to be a close one in 2017.
1. The emergence of the USC Trojans
26-13. That was the score of last season’s meeting with the USC Trojans. Jake Browning threw two interceptions and the Washington Huskies’ offense was held to just 276 total yards (17 rushing yards) in the game. Browning was also sacked three times.
Although the Trojans finished the 2016 season with a 7-2 record in the Pac-12, their victory over the Washington Huskies was one to remember.
After a signing a strong 2017 recruiting class, the Huskies could face a similar outcome if both them and the Trojans win their respective divisions and meet in the Pac-12 Championship game.
Next: Counterpoint - 5 reasons why Washington will win the Pac-12
Although the Trojans return only five starters on offense, quarterback Sam Darnold enters this season as the top prospect in the NFL Draft. The emergence of Darnold and the USC Trojans has been a thorn in the side of the Huskies. They’ve lost three of the last four meetings with USC with the Trojans holding a 52-29-4 overall series record.