The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will have a rude awakening in Week 1 as they take on a Washington football team coming off a PAC-12 Championship last season.
Washington does not have a challenging non-conference slate. Rutgers and Fresno State are the toughest teams they face. More than likely, both Fresno State and Rutgers will not even make a bowl game and that means we won’t find out much about the Huskies until PAC-12 play starts.
The one thing that Washington can get going is their defense. With Kevin King, Budda Baker, and Sydney Jones all gone in the secondary, some new faces need to step up. Sophomore safety Taylor Rapp is a potential All-American who finished 2016 with four interceptions.
Senior linebacker Azeem Victor is Washington’s most experienced leader and possibly their most talented defensive player. Victor was second on the team in tackles, tied with fellow linebacker Keishawn Bierria.
Rapp and Victor will get their first look at Power Five action against Rutgers on Sep. 1 when they hit the road to face the Scarlet Knights. Other key names to watch on defense include junior defensive end Vito Vea, junior safety JoJo McIntosh and senior linebacker Connor O’Brien. Washington could have one of the better front sevens in college football.
With the return of quarterback Jake Browning and running backs Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman, Washington should be set on offense. Even senior wide receiver Dante Pettis makes a good replacement for John Ross. Although, no one can replace Ross and his 17 receiving touchdowns in the receiving corps.
The Huskies have more question marks on the defensive side of the ball. Rapp can develop into a leader in the secondary and Victor is already one of the most proven linebackers in the PAC-12. Aside from USC’s Cameron Smith, he could be the best in the conference.
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Head coach Chris Peterson did lose a lot this year. However, he has talent to replace almost everything he lost on both sides of the ball. The defense does need to piece a few more parts together before they reach the level they were at last year.