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Washington Football: 5 bold predictions for the Huskies in 2017

By Andrew Miller

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies runs off the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies runs off the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 02: Lavon Coleman #22 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on December 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 02: Lavon Coleman #22 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on December 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

1. Lavon Coleman is the leading rusher

Washington has a dynamic backfield between Coleman and Gaskin. Yet, Gaskin is expected to begin the season as the starting running back. Gaskin did also get the bulk of the carries and led the team in rushing in 2016.

More: Washington Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

However, Coleman was actually the more efficient rusher. He averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 114 attempts while Gaskin averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 237 attempts. The workload is likely to be more evenly spread this year.

With so much focus on Browning and the Washington passing game, many people often forget about how good their rushing attack it. Gaskin and Coleman combined for more than 2,000 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns last year.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

The Huskies averaged roughly nine more rushing attempts than passing attempts in 2016. Coleman will have a chance, week in and week out, to establish himself as the best rusher on the Washington roster.

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