Washington Football: Huskies hope rebound leads to Playoff berth

Offense

Washington returns seven of last season’s starters to the offense, including senior quarterback Jake Browning. Last year, Browning’s numbers tapered off despite improving his completion rate by more than six percent. Even with Dante Pettis in the mix, not having John Ross burning defenses with regularity impacted the quarterback’s total passing yards and touchdowns.

Another big part of that was the loss of Chico McClatcher, whose impact on the Huskies offense proved far bigger than I gave credit last year. The receiver is back after breaking his ankle last season against Colorado, and as long as he is healthy he will provide the big-play threat Browning never really had last season. We could also see freshman Marquis Spiker break out immediately this year at Washington.

A veteran offensive line has to replace center Coleman Shelton, but otherwise returns 96 combined career starts throughout the group. Browning sustained an average of 1.5 sacks per game, a number which could improve this year as the unit gets even deeper and more experienced.

Focusing on Myles Gaskin

That experience will also benefit the man about to become Washington’s all-time leading rusher, Myles Gaskin. Currently sitting only 51 yards behind current Huskies career leader Napoleon Kaufman, Gaskin could have that record broken by halftime against Auburn in the opening game. After pitching a dud in his first game in the Huskies backfield, Gaskin took off as a freshman and snatched the starting role quickly.

Gaskin started his career with a five-carry, five-yard performance at Boise State. Gaskin followed that up with his first of eight 100-yard games en route to a 1300-yard season. The following year, the Washington star broke out with another 1300-yard season as the Huskies advanced to the Peach Bowl but couldn’t get past Alabama to stay alive for the College Football Playoff national championship. Last year he had a third straight 1300-yard campaign as he topped 4000 yards for his career.

Gaskin will be looking to break more than individual records, and could break out as one of the top running backs in college football. He could emerge from the long shadow of divisional rival Bryce Love to earn some Heisman love in his own right.