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FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Washington quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against Penn State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game in Glendale, Ariz. Browning is hoping to repeat what Baker Mayfield did last year. Mayfield was a Heisman Trophy longshot in the preseason but ended up winning the award while leading Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years. The senior leads a list of Heisman contenders who are off the radar. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) less
FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Washington quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against Penn State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game in Glendale, Ariz. Browning is … more
Photo: Ross D. Franklin
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FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Washington running back Myles Gaskin (9) runs against Penn State during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. Gaskin was selected to the AP Preseason All-America team, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. less
FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Washington running back Myles Gaskin (9) runs against Penn State during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. Gaskin was selected to the AP … more
Photo: Rick Scuteri, AP
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Washington NCAA college head football coach Chris Petersen smiles as he speaks at a news conference Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Seattle. Petersen hates expectations, so he’s likely loathing Washington being the overwhelming favorite in the Pac-12 and likely top 10 when the preseason AP poll comes out. The Huskies open fall camp on Friday in preparation for the Sept. 1 opener against Auburn. less
Washington NCAA college head football coach Chris Petersen smiles as he speaks at a news conference Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Seattle. Petersen hates expectations, so he’s likely loathing Washington being the … more
Photo: Elaine Thompson, AP
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FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Washington quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against Penn State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game in Glendale, Ariz. Browning is hoping to repeat what Baker Mayfield did last year. Mayfield was a Heisman Trophy longshot in the preseason but ended up winning the award while leading Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years. The senior leads a list of Heisman contenders who are off the radar. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) less
FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Washington quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against Penn State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game in Glendale, Ariz. Browning is … more
Photo: Ross D. Franklin
Huskies enter season as contenders for Pac-12 title, CFP Championship
College football’s first full slate of games will kick off this weekend, starting another year of triumph and heartbreak for programs around the country. For the University of Washington Huskies, who enter the season ranked sixth in the nation, the pressure is on. The question is, how will the purple and gold respond?
One possibility? A national championship – more on that later.
The Huskies took a step back last season after making the College Football Playoff the year prior. The Dawgs started the season out strong, rolling over their first six opponents by no fewer than two touchdowns – in other words, looking like they deserved their No. 5 ranking.
Then week seven rolled around, and with it an ugly 7-13 loss to unranked Arizona State. Two weeks later, the Huskies dropped another game, this time to Stanford – essentially eliminating them from the conference championship and, in turn, a shot at returning to the Playoff. Their season ended with a loss against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.
On the surface, it was fairly surprising. The defense was mostly solid, and the team still averaged over 35 points-per-game. The biggest difference came in the play of quarterback Jake Browning.
While Browning was still a solidly above-average signal caller, he failed to reach the heights of his sophomore season. There, he threw for 3,430 yards and a whopping 43 (yes, you read that right) touchdowns. Last year, he managed just 19 scores on 2,719 yards through the air.
RELATED: UW Huskies top Pac-12 in preseason AP poll
A large factor there was likely the absence of first-round draft pick John Ross, who was nigh-uncoverable the previous year. While he still had a stellar talent in Dante Pettis, losing your top target is tough hurdle to overcome for any quarterback.
I do think the Huskies will bounce back this year, Browning included. He’s a rock solid foundation for head coach Chris Petersen’s offense, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him come into this season with a chip on his shoulder.
If Browning is the base, running back Myles Gaskin is the piece holding it all together. In each of his three seasons, the Washington native has rushed for at least 1,300 yards and ten touchdowns. Last year, he found paydirt 21 times. Despite his fantastic production, Gaskin seems to continually fly under the national radar – so like his QB, don’t be surprised when he plays like a guy with something to prove.
SEE ALSO: Washington Huskies’ 2018 recruiting class:
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OL MJ Ale
Fife High School (Tacoma)
6-foot-6, 331 pounds
The hulking offensive lineman has only been playing football for three years after moving to Tacoma from Australia. He’s one of five in-state prospects who signed with UW.
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OL MJ Ale
Fife High School (Tacoma)
6-foot-6, 331 pounds
The hulking offensive lineman has only been playing football for three years after moving to Tacoma from Australia. He’s one of five in-state prospects who
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Photo: Courtesy Alan McFarland
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DL Draco Bynum
Wilsonville High School (Wilsonville, Oregon)
6-foot-4, 258 pounds
One of four U.S. Army All Americans to sign with the Huskies, Bynum chose UW over offers from Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington State, among others.
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DL Draco Bynum
Wilsonville High School (Wilsonville, Oregon)
6-foot-4, 258 pounds
One of four U.S. Army All Americans to sign with the Huskies, Bynum chose UW over offers from Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington
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Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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TE Devin Culp
Gonzaga Prep (Spokane)
6-foot-3, 235 pounds
The three-star prospect originally committed to Oregon ahead of his junior season, but decommitted in January 2017 after Oregon fired head coach Mark Helfrich.
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TE Devin Culp
Gonzaga Prep (Spokane)
6-foot-3, 235 pounds
The three-star prospect originally committed to Oregon ahead of his junior season, but decommitted in January 2017 after Oregon fired head coach Mark
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Photo: Courtesy Stephanie Perko
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OL Victor Curne
Second Baptist School (Houston, Texas)
6-foot-3, 313 pounds
Ranked the No. 27 guard in the country by 247 Sports, Curne chose UW over offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, TCU and UCLA.
OL Victor Curne
Second Baptist School (Houston, Texas)
6-foot-3, 313 pounds
Ranked the No. 27 guard in the country by 247 Sports, Curne chose UW over offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, TCU and UCLA.
Photo: Courtesy Second Baptist School
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DB Kyler Gordon
Archbishop Murphy High School (Mukilteo)
6-foot-1, 177 pounds
A two-way star for the Wildcats, Gordon — a four-star prospect — racked up over 1,400 offensive yards, 44 tackles and five interceptions his senior year.
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DB Kyler Gordon
Archbishop Murphy High School (Mukilteo)
6-foot-1, 177 pounds
A two-way star for the Wildcats, Gordon — a four-star prospect — racked up over 1,400 offensive yards, 44 tackles and five
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Photo: Courtesy Archbishop Murphy High School
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CB Dominique Hampton
Centennial High School (Glendale, Arizona)
6-foot-2, 197 pounds
The lanky three-star cornerback committed to the Huskies before his senior season, when he helped Centennial win its third state title in four years.
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CB Dominique Hampton
Centennial High School (Glendale, Arizona)
6-foot-2, 197 pounds
The lanky three-star cornerback committed to the Huskies before his senior season, when he helped Centennial win its third state
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Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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DB Julius Irvin
Servite High School (Anaheim, California)
6-foot-2, 182 pounds
One of two players who signed with the Huskies on Wednesday, Irvin chose UW over offers from Alabama, Michigan, USC and others. He’s the son of former NFL All-Pro LeRoy Irvin.
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DB Julius Irvin
Servite High School (Anaheim, California)
6-foot-2, 182 pounds
One of two players who signed with the Huskies on Wednesday, Irvin chose UW over offers from Alabama, Michigan, USC and others. He’s
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Photo: Magic Moments Sports Photography
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LB Ale Kaho
Reno High School (Reno, Nevada)
6-foot-1, 218 pounds
The U.S. Army All American flipped from a year-and-a-half-long commitment to BYU on Dec. 16 and signed with the Huskies four days later.
LB Ale Kaho
Reno High School (Reno, Nevada)
6-foot-1, 218 pounds
The U.S. Army All American flipped from a year-and-a-half-long commitment to BYU on Dec. 16 and signed with the Huskies four days later.
Photo: Courtesy Reno High School
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DL Tuli Letuligasenoa
De La Salle High School (Concord, California)
6-foot-1, 338 pounds
One of the best defensive tackle prospects in the country, Letuligasenoa was a big get for the Huskies, signing with Washington two days after decommitting from USC.
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DL Tuli Letuligasenoa
De La Salle High School (Concord, California)
6-foot-1, 338 pounds
One of the best defensive tackle prospects in the country, Letuligasenoa was a big get for the Huskies, signing with
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Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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WR Trey Lowe
Jesuit High School (Portland, Oregon)
5-foot-7, 174 pounds
The 2017 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year totaled more than 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 35 touchdowns during his senior season.
WR Trey Lowe
Jesuit High School (Portland, Oregon)
5-foot-7, 174 pounds
The 2017 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year totaled more than 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 35 touchdowns during his senior season.
Photo: Courtesy Brian Murphy/CandidEyePhotography
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OL Matteo Mele
Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson, Arizona)
6-foot-5, 277 pounds
A three-star tackle prospect, Mele held scholarship offers from nine Pac-12 schools, as well as the likes of Oklahoma, Kansas State and Louisville.
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OL Matteo Mele
Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson, Arizona)
6-foot-5, 277 pounds
A three-star tackle prospect, Mele held scholarship offers from nine Pac-12 schools, as well as the likes of Oklahoma, Kansas
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Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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DL Mosiah Nasili-Liu
Emerald Ridge High School (Puyallup)
6-foot-2, 281 pounds
After moving from California before his junior season, Nasili-Liu picked up scholarship offers from Washington State, Boise State and Utah, but chose to stay close to home at UW.
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DL Mosiah Nasili-Liu
Emerald Ridge High School (Puyallup)
6-foot-2, 281 pounds
After moving from California before his junior season, Nasili-Liu picked up scholarship offers from Washington State, Boise State and
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Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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RB Richard Newton
Palmdale High School (Lancaster, California)
6-foot-1, 183 pounds
The lone running back in the class, Newton averaged 8 yards per carry during an injury-plagued senior season.
RB Richard Newton
Palmdale High School (Lancaster, California)
6-foot-1, 183 pounds
The lone running back in the class, Newton averaged 8 yards per carry during an injury-plagued senior season.
Photo: Courtesy Palmdale High School
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WR Austin Osborne
Mission Viejo High School (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
6-foot-2, 188 pounds
With sprinter’s speed and good size, four-star recruit Osborne could make an impact early for UW, which lost Dante Pettis to graduation this season.
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WR Austin Osborne
Mission Viejo High School (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
6-foot-2, 188 pounds
With sprinter’s speed and good size, four-star recruit Osborne could make an impact early for UW, which lost
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Photo: Courtesy Mission Viejo High School
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LB Jackson Sirmon
Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tennessee)
6-foot-2, 224 pounds
The son of former NFL linebacker and UW assistant coach Peter Sirmon and cousin of quarterback prospect Jacob Sirmon chose the Huskies over Wisconsin and Vanderbilt.
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LB Jackson Sirmon
Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tennessee)
6-foot-2, 224 pounds
The son of former NFL linebacker and UW assistant coach Peter Sirmon and cousin of quarterback prospect Jacob Sirmon chose the
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Photo: Courtesy Brentwood Academy
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QB Jacob Sirmon
Bothell High School
6-foot-4, 227 pounds
The son of a UW professor, Sirmon was one the top prospect in the state, according to 247 Sports. He’s already enrolled and will compete for a backup job this year after choosing Washington over Alabama, LSU and Michigan, among others.
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QB Jacob Sirmon
Bothell High School
6-foot-4, 227 pounds
The son of a UW professor, Sirmon was one the top prospect in the state, according to 247 Sports. He’s already enrolled and will compete for a backup job
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Photo: Courtesy Duane Eickhoff/Bothell High School
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WR Marquis Spiker
Murrieta Valley High School (Murrieta, California)
6-foot-3, 180 pounds
The top-ranked player in the Huskies’ class according to 247 Sports, Spiker racked up 244 receptions, 4,661 yards and 72 (72!) receiving touchdowns over the last three years.
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WR Marquis Spiker
Murrieta Valley High School (Murrieta, California)
6-foot-3, 180 pounds
The top-ranked player in the Huskies’ class according to 247 Sports, Spiker racked up 244 receptions, 4,661 yards and 72
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Photo: Courtesy Murrieta Valley High School
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DL Sam Taimani
East High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)
6-foot-2, 320 pounds
The Huskies listed Taimani as a defensive lineman even though he was ranked the No. 9 guard in the country by ESPN.
DL Sam Taimani
East High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)
6-foot-2, 320 pounds
The Huskies listed Taimani as a defensive lineman even though he was ranked the No. 9 guard in the country by ESPN.
Photo: Courtesy Julie Shipman/East High School
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LB M.J. Tafisi
Alta High School (Sandy, Utah)
6-foot-2, 224 pounds
Utah’s reigning 5A defensive player of the year racked up 418 tackles over his career, including 37 for loss.
LB M.J. Tafisi
Alta High School (Sandy, Utah)
6-foot-2, 224 pounds
Utah’s reigning 5A defensive player of the year racked up 418 tackles over his career, including 37 for loss.
Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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LB Zion Tupuola-Fetui
Pearl City High School (Pearl City, Hawaii)
6-foot-2, 250 pounds
The three-star prospect was one of six Huskies recruits selected for this year’s Polynesian Bowl. He’s the only Hawaiian on UW’s roster.
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LB Zion Tupuola-Fetui
Pearl City High School (Pearl City, Hawaii)
6-foot-2, 250 pounds
The three-star prospect was one of six Huskies recruits selected for this year’s Polynesian Bowl. He’s the only Hawaiian on
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Photo: Courtesy UW Athletics
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QB Colson Yankoff
Coeur d’Alene High School (Hayden, Idaho)
6-foot-4, 204 pounds
One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, Yankoff committed to UW more than a year after Jacob Sirmon did. That tells you a little about his competitiveness.
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QB Colson Yankoff
Coeur d’Alene High School (Hayden, Idaho)
6-foot-4, 204 pounds
One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, Yankoff committed to UW more than a year after Jacob Sirmon did. That tells
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Photo: Courtesy Trevor Yankoff
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Photo: Courtesy Alan McFarland
OL MJ Ale
Fife High School (Tacoma)
6-foot-6, 331 pounds
The hulking offensive lineman has only been playing football for three years after moving to Tacoma from Australia. He’s one of five in-state prospects who signed with UW.
less
OL MJ Ale
Fife High School (Tacoma)
6-foot-6, 331 pounds
The hulking offensive lineman has only been playing football for three years after moving to Tacoma from Australia. He’s one of five in-state prospects who
… more
Photo: Courtesy Alan McFarland
Washington Huskies 2018 recruiting class
Finally, the defense (as has become expected under Petersen) will likely make life miserable for its opponents. The unit’s play last season led to 39 sacks and 15 interceptions. Those takeaways led to 89 points on the other end of the field. While there have been some losses, such as defensive tackle and frighteningly nimble enormous man Vita Vea, excellent coaching and talent will lead the Huskies to another strong defensive effort.
RELATED: 5 takeaways from UW Huskies spring football debut
Put it all together, and I think you have a legitimate contender. The question will be, as it was last year, whether or not the Huskies can avoid trap games. Outside of facing Auburn week one, the Huskies’ strength of schedule is passable. If they want to have a real shot at the Playoff, the Dawgs have zero margin for error.
On paper, there isn’t a team in the conference they shouldn’t beat. However, week seven once again holds a potential trap in No. 24 Oregon. While the Huskies have absolutely pasted the Ducks for the past two years, Oregon looks like a team on the rise. Combine that with a tough road atmosphere and one of the more heated rivalries in the conference and you’ve got an interesting matchup. The Huskies also face Stanford in week ten, who are always a threat, particularly with Heisman hopeful Bryce Love.
SEE ALSO: When the Huskies extended Chris Petersen’s contract in 2017, they made him the highest-paid PAC-12 coach:
Ultimately, watch for the Huskies to win the Pac-12. Potential trap games and injuries aside, they stand head and shoulders above the rest of the conference.
RELATED: Seahawks draft UW tight end Will Dissly in 4th round
Whether they can contend for a Playoff spot depends heavily on whether or not they can beat Auburn this weekend. If they do, there is a real chance the Dawgs could go undefeated – and come playoff season, that could very well give them a shot at redemption.
