Washington Football: 5 reasons Huskies will win 2017 national title

4. Jake Browning will develop into a legitimate Heisman contender

For the past two seasons, Petersen and offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith have been able to rely on Jake Browning at quarterback. In 2015, Browning became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for the Huskies. He finished the season with nearly 3000 passing yards, but had a pedestrian 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Rather than a sophomore slump, Browning vaulted into the upper echelon of quarterbacks in his second season at the helm of the Huskies offense. Browning threw 43 touchdowns and just nine interceptions to earn Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. The QB efficiently led UW within reach of its first national title in a quarter-century. The touchdown total was bolstered by big games against Idaho, Oregon, California and FCS foe Portland State.

His worst two games came against USC and Alabama, the two teams which dealt the Huskies defeats in 2016. The Trojans held Browning under 50 percent passing, while the Crimson Tide held him to only 150 passing yards. Both teams intercepted Browning twice to stall Washington drives. But he also was hardly the sole reason that the Huskies faltered in those contests, either.

Smith and new co-offensive coordinator Matt Lubick will work to utilize the weapons around Browning to the fullest potential. That also means making the junior quarterback even more efficient and dangerous throwing the ball as he builds up a Heisman candidacy on Washington’s path to a national title.