Washington football: Realistic post-spring expectations for 2023

Who could have seen the success that Washington football experienced in year one of Kalen DeBoer? He took over after leading Fresno State to a 12-6 record over two years and he brought Michael Penix Jr. in with him — he was Penix’s offensive coordinator at Indiana in 2019.

The addition of Penix completely changed the trajectory of the program. He passed for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns and an offense that couldn’t muster anything in 2021 was completely different and improved.

Well, Penix is back and so are Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze. This offense won’t skip a beat this season and as long as the run game has a pulse, the Huskies are going to cause some problems in the Pac-12.

Defensively, they surrendered 372.7 yards per game and were 58th in scoring defense. Not great, but being in the top half nationally with this offense can lead to another double-digit season.

Realistic post-spring expectations for Washington football

Washington’s offense should be just as good as it was last season unless injuries become an issue. Getting one of the nation’s best quarterbacks to return is huge.

Plus, his top two wideouts come back along with Michigan State receiver transfer and former four-star Washington target Germie Bernard comes in.

Looking at the schedule, the sure wins for Washington are Boise State, Tulsa, Cal, Arizona State, and Stanford. Five sure wins and everything else is either 50/50 or leaning toward a win other than maybe a road game against USC. Oregon State will also be tough on the road and Utah and Oregon are always tough to beat no matter what. Winning at Michigan State and at Arizona aren’t sure things either.

I can see this team finishing 9-3 and taking a slight step back from last year, but I could also see 10-2 with this offense just being too much for teams like Oregon State, Utah, Michigan State, and Arizona.

Worst-case scenario for the Huskies would have to be 8-4 but 9-3 is my most realistic expectation.