Washington Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Final Standings: 13-0 (9-0 Pac-12)
With the revenge victory over USC, Washington will finish its first perfect regular season since their national title season in 1991. Despite giving up more points than last year’s unit, the defense will bend without breaking at all the right moments. The Huskies will likely rank among the top 5-10 offenses in the nation in most statistical categories.
Last year, the loss to the Trojans forced Chris Petersen’s team to cross their fingers and hope for the selection committee to come through. This time around, a 13-0 Power Five champion won’t have to sweat as much as the Huskies back into the College Football Playoff. This time around, they will get to play in a more familiar setting as well.
Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017
Possible Bowl Game: Rose Bowl vs. Penn State
Even with the Granddaddy of Them All back up in the rotation of College Football Playoff semifinal sites, we will probably still get a traditional Pac-12 versus Big Ten format. Pasadena will take center stage the leagues’ champions square off on New Year’s Day for a shot at the title.
That champion is likely going to be either Ohio State or Penn State. Here’s guessing the Nittany Lions, led by Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley on offense and a solid group of linebackers on defense, are the last team standing atop the Big Ten East. After knocking off Wisconsin in the championship game in Indianapolis for the second straight year, James Franklin’s team will return to Pasadena to face the Huskies with a national championship berth on the line.