Washington Football: 5 bold predictions for the Huskies in October

5. Jake Browning flips switch, returns to Heisman-contending form

For much of last season, Jake Browning looked like a Heisman contender. The quarterback threw for more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns during the regular season. Browning was completing more than 65 percent of his passes and playing ultra-efficient ball, as he gave away just seven interceptions on 329 passing attempts.

Things fell apart in the Pac-12 championship game, as Colorado held Browning just 9-of-24 for 118 yards and two scores. It was enough to win the conference title as the running game had a huge day in Santa Clara. But Browning’s follow-up in the Peach Bowl against Alabama was no better, as the Crimson Tide picked off two of his passes and held him to 150 yards in Atlanta.

Browning’s biggest game last season came at Berkeley against Cal, when he threw for 378 yards and six touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing. Cal will once again prove to be the catalyst for another big statistical stretch. Browning will enjoy another monster performance against the Golden Bears to start October, putting up at least 300 yards and four passing touchdowns.

It will be the start of a huge month that helps launch Browning up the Heisman charts. In three games, Browning will throw for over 1,000 yards and a dozen touchdown passes as Washington keeps winning big.