One year after reaching the College Football Playoff, the Washington Huskies fell short of expectations last season. After starting the 2017 campaign 6-0, the Huskies slipped up against both Arizona State and Stanford, leaving them left out of the Pac-12 title game. Washington then ended the season on a sour note, losing the Fiesta Bowl to Penn State to finish the year 10-3.
Alas, 2018 is a new season and a new opportunity for Chris Petersen’s team. The Huskies are 22-5 over the past two seasons. More importantly, they look ready to assert themselves as not only the best team in the Pac-12 but as a national championship contender as well.
Oddsmakers list the Huskies at +1850 to win the national championship. Those odds could make the Huskies the perfect team to bet on since they are among the top contenders and offer a substantial payout. Washington is also projected to win 10.5 games in 2018. They fell short of that mark last year. But with this year’s team expected to be better, there’s a good chance the Huskies can surpass that projection.
Washington has the potential to have one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. It all starts with quarterback Jake Browning, a senior with 39 career starts under his belt. Browning saw a drop-off in his performance last year after leading the Huskies to the CFP in 2016. However, some of that can be blamed on a lack of proven wide receivers. The Huskies still don’t have a proven deep threat. But if a few guys step up, Browning will be capable of replicating his Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year form from 2016.
Meanwhile, the Washington rushing attack is much less of a concern. Running back Myles Gaskin has rushed for over 4,000 yards in his first three seasons with the Huskies. He’ll also be running behind a veteran offensive line that includes a few NFL prospects. With opposing teams being forced to focus on Gaskin and the running game, Browning may find it a little easier to take shots down the field and create big plays.
On defense, the Huskies will be led by a secondary that’s filled with seasoned, All-Pac-12 caliber players. In a pass-happy conference, Washington may have the best pass defense, which bodes well for their chances. There’s less excitement about Washington’s front-7. But the Huskies should have enough talent there to allow their secondary shine and create havoc.
On paper, the Huskies appear to be the best team in the Pac-12. They return loads of experience on both sides of the ball. The team’s only true question mark is at wide receiver. But shortcomings there should be mitigated by a veteran quarterback and a dynamic running game. Winning 11 or 12 games, winning the Pac-12, and returning to the CFP are all realistic goals for the Huskies in 2018.
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1 | @ Auburn Tigers | 3:30 PM |
| Sep 8 | North Dakota Fighting Hawks | 5:00 PM |
| Sep 15 | @ Utah Utes | 10:00 PM |
| Sep 22 | Arizona State Sun Devils | 3:00 PM |
| Sep 29 | Brigham Young Cougars | 3:00 PM |
| Oct 6 | @ UCLA Bruins | 3:00 PM |
| Oct 13 | @ Oregon Ducks | 3:00 PM |
| Oct 20 | Colorado Buffaloes | 3:00 PM |
| Oct 27 | @ California Golden Bears | 3:00 PM |
| Nov 3 | Stanford Cardinal | 3:00 PM |
| Nov 17 | Oregon State Beavers | 3:00 PM |
| Nov 23 | @ Washington State Cougars | 8:30 PM |
Of course, Washington’s schedule will have a say in where they end up. The Huskies open the year by playing a de-facto road game against the Auburn Tigers in Atlanta. They will also face road tests against the likes of Utah, Oregon, and Washington State. However, Washington’s schedule beyond that is quite favorable. They play Stanford at home in a game that could determine the Pac-12 North. They also avoid having to play both USC and Arizona, the two best teams in the South division.
Outside of playing Auburn, which would actually be a great resume-builder if they win, the Huskies have a schedule that they should be able to handle. There may be limited opportunities to earn quality wins outside of Auburn, Stanford, and Oregon. However, if the Huskies survive the opener against Auburn, there’s a realistic chance they can go undefeated. Doing so would make it almost impossible to keep them out of the College Football Playoff.