Washington Huskies 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Washington Huskies 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 12-2

2016 ATS – 7-7

Yes, guy.

The Huskies lived up to the preseason hype by finishing at 12-2, winning the PAC 12 and making the college football playoff. They did the best they could vs ROLL TIDE in the Peach Bowl but could not get anything going on offense. HC Chris Petersen is on the MEGALOCKS all-time favorite list for good reason. #WINNING. Expectations are really high this season.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

PAC 12 – TBD

North Division – TBD

OFFENSE

The Huskies moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE on offense last season averaging over 40 points per game. They return 7 starters on offense this season including most of the key components. QB Jake Browning is a legitimate STAR and he carved up opposing defenses to the tune of 3,400 yards passing and 43 (!) TDs. Browning is still a junior but will almost certainly leave for the NFL after this campaign. Browning loses #1 WR John Ross but still has a virtual BEVY of dangerous targets including Dante Pettis (822, 15.5, 15 TD !) and Chico McClatcher (18.5 yards per reception).

Washington boasts one of the best 1-2 punches at RB in all of college football as Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman tallied over 2,200 (!) yards and 17 TDs rushing in 2016. Coleman averaged 7.5 yards per carry. The offensive line should be rock solid once again with 3/5 starters returning including 2nd Team AA LT Trey Adams.

DEFENSE

Washington has finished #1 in total defense in the PAC 12 in BOTH of the past two seasons. Despite some REALLY good players leaving for the NFL the Huskies still appear to be loaded. The defensive line has a pair of returning starters including DT Vita Vea (6-5, 344) and the LB corps has a couple of great players in Keishawn Bierria (2nd Team PAC 12) and Azeem Victor (1st Team PAC 12). The secondary loses THREE players taken in the first two rounds of the NFL draft including star S Budda Baker. That is our biggest concern with the 2017 team.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Huskies will have to find a replacement for excellent PK Cameron Van Winkle who hit 16/20 FGs last season but they do have outstanding PR Dante Pettis back to terrorize opposing coverage units.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot

September 16 – FRESNO ST. Don’t laugh. They will be a BAZILLION point favorites and have a big showdown with Colorado the following week.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

HC Chris Petersen has an all-time record of 119-26. G O A T.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.5

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the HUSKIES a 6.5 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.

The Huskies look like a serious contender for the college football playoff. The offense is going to be close to unstoppable against all but the best defenses. The front seven on defense looks great. And they have Chris Petersen as HC.

The question becomes – Can we make money betting on this team ? The Huskies are 22-19 (53.7%) with Petersen at the helm, and given the high expectations, it strikes us that the best season-long ATS prediction for this squad is slightly above .500. We recommend looking at them every week but think the best value may come when they play the better teams on the schedule.

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