2011-2012 Football Previews – Pac 12 Conference – UW Huskies
Despite a spectacular year from quarterback Jake Locker, the Washington Huskies managed to barely finish the 2010 season with a better than .500 after a 19-7 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in last year’s version of the Holiday Bowl.
2011 PAC-12 | Washington Huskies Football Preview
Coach: Steve Sarkisian
2010-11 Record: 7-6 (5-4)
Washington Huskies Gambling Odds from Bodog.com to win BCS: 150-1
UW Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
That postseason win made up for the embarrassing 56-21 loss that the Huskies were handed by the Huskers in the third game of the year that seemed to set the entire mood for a disappointing 5-4 PAC-10 conference campaign.
However, looking ahead, Washington, in spite of losing Locker to the NFL, returns 15 starters that are already familiar with third-year coach Steve Sarkisian offensive game plan.
Locker, who ended his career with the second most passing yards (7,639) in school history will most certainly be missed, by Sarkisian’s recruits should be able to make an impact of their own on the field come Week 1.
To get a better idea of where Washington might be headed this season, let’s take a look at both the offense and defense and my prediction on where they will finish the season in the PAC-12.
Offense:
Sophomore Keith Price will have some big shoes to fill, and with no real starting experience it’s really hard to forecast how he will fair behind center come game time.
He will definitely have one of the country’s biggest threats at the wide receiver position at his disposal in Jermaine Kearse. The senior wide out hauled in 63 passes for 1,005 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season, and if Price is as good as predicted, the duo could lead the Huskies back to a bowl game in 2011.
However, regardless, of Price’s performance, the return of junior running back Chris Polk will unquestionably ease the pressure on the young field general to beat the opposition solely with Washington’s air assault.
Last season Polk ripped off nearly 1,500 rushing yards and nine touchdown, and with the likelihood of receiving more carries, should improve his stats this coming season if the Huskies can get the support from an offensive line that returns three starters of its own. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Defense:
With all four starters from last year’s team returning along the line, Washington should have one of the best defensive fronts its put on the field in recent years, and will look to senior defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu to make everyone around him better including UCLA transfer and pass rushing specialist Josh Shirley.
Just behind them will be a linebacking corps that despite the lack of outside experience brings back talented senior middle linebacker Cort Dennison who finished last year’s campaign with 92 tackles, a pair of interceptions, two sacks and a 8.5 tackles for loss.
An additional trio of defensive starters, including one of the better corner duos in the conference in junior Desmond Trufant and senior Quinton Richardson, will lead a secondary unit that also return junior free safety Nathan Fellner, who led the team with five interceptions in 2010.
2011 University Of Washington Huskies Prediction: 5th PAC-12 North
While I don’t expect Washington to have a breakout year toppling the Ducks or Stanford as they adjust to offensive life without Locker, I do see them fighting it out in the middle of the PAC-12 North along with Oregon State and Cal.
2011 Washington Huskies Schedule
9/3/11 7:00 PM ET EWAS
9/10/11 3:30 PM ET HAW
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET @NEB
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET CAL
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET @UTAH
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET COL
10/22/11 8:00 PM ET @STAN
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET ARZ
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET ORE
11/12/11 3:30 PM ET @USC
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @OREST
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET WSHST
