– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – Pac-12 – Huskies
Looking for 2017 Washington Huskies predictions? The Huskies had a dream 2016 season. Despite a painful loss to USC along the way, Washington managed to capture the Pac-12 North before downing Colorado to become Pac-12 Champions for the first time since it’s expansion to 12 teams. They would go on to suffer a loss in the College Football Playoff to Alabama. Despite this, they are back and poised in 2017 to make another run at the Pac-12 title…and maybe even more.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Washington Huskies
- Head Coach: Chris Peterson
- 2016 Record: 12-2
- Washington Huskies Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +2800
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Chris Peterson brought the Huskies back to the promised land. Can he do it again?
2017 Washington Huskies Predictions: Team Strengths
Jake Browning: Arguably a Heisman Trophy candidate last season, Jake Browning returns for his Junior season under center. Despite his biggest weapon leaving for the NFL, Browning has an entire supporting cast of playmakers waiting to help guide this Huskies squad back to the college postseason.
From the start, Browning has shown promise, becoming the first true freshman in Huskies history to start at quarterback in the season opener as well as the second ever freshman QB to start a game, period.
While he has steadily gotten better over his two seasons at Washington, Browning has only scratched the surface of his potential as a starting quarterback.
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With Browning firmly entrenched as the team’s signal caller, he is on pace to break several more Washington passing records before all is said and done. And that’s saying something given then records he has already toppled.
Linebackers: The Huskies have had some formidable linebacking groups in the past and this season is no different. With Azeem Victor surprisingly returning for his senior season, this Huskies defense is ready to punish anyone who tries the middle of the field.
Alongside Victor is Keishawn Bierria, who helped round out one of college’s top defenses last season. Don’t forget Sean Constantine and Ben Burr-Kirven, who got plenty of playing time in 2016 themselves.
With last year’s starting linebackers returning this season, it could spell trouble for opposing offenses yet again trying to get into the second level.
2017 Washington Huskies Predictions: Team Weaknesses
The Secondary: Washington had one of the best secondaries in school history last season.
The loss of Budda Baker, Kevin King and Sidney Jones will be felt this season, but the question is – to what degree?
There are still pieces coming back with experience like JoJo McIntosh, who leads the returning defensive backs. McIntosh was a force last season, playing the same style of football that the departing DBs played – punishing, smash mouth defense with serious ball hawking skills.
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Also back are Austin Joyner and Jomon Dotson, who filled in nicely when needed last season and will see a much bigger role this season.
Speaking of larger roles, you can’t forget the playmaking ability of Sophomore Taylor Rapp, who was a stand out last season, particularly in the back half of the schedule. Rapp came up big in the Pac-12 Championship game, intercepting two Colorado passes and returning one for a touchdown.
While the loss of those big 3 are going to be felt, it is going to be a matter of how badly. With strong returning players and a mixture of young and slightly seasoned guys ready to step up, this unit could end up being much better off than most think.
Washington Huskies Prediction: 10-2
It’s hard to predict an outcome in the wild Pac-12. Despite the odds being heavily in Washington’s favor, the Pac-12 has proven to be one of the most competitive conferences in the nation.
The schedule is being touted as the potentially easiest schedule in the conference. Emerging Washington State could be the toughest game on the list, but don’t forget the fact that Washington and Stanford play each other down to the wire almost every matchup and could go either direction.
The Huskies have historically had a tough time winning in the state of Arizona and their game against Arizona State is one to look at as well as a home tilt against UCLA, who is always stocked with talent.
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The table is set for Washington to make another run at history. The only question will be if the rest of the Pac-12 steps up and puts a damper on that run.
2017 Washington Huskies Football Schedule
- 9/1/17 8:00 PM EST @RUTG
- 9/9/17 8:00 PM EST MONT
- 9/16/17 9:30 PM EST FRES
- 9/23/17 TBD @COLO
- 9/30/17 TBD @ORST
- 10/7/17 TBD CAL
- 10/14/17 TBD @ASU
- 10/28/17 TBD UCLA
- 11/4/17 TBD ORE
- 11/10/17 TBD @STAN
- 11/18/17 TBD UTAH
- 11/25/17 TBD WSU
What do you think about our 2017 Washington Huskies predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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