Washington Huskies 2018 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Washington Huskies 2018 NCAA Football Preview

2017 Recap

Record – 10-3

ATS – 7-6

It’s not often that you win ten games and end up disappointed. The Huskies started out on SUPAH HOT FIRE crushing and killing their way to a 6-0 record but laid an egg on a trip to Tempe (stop us if you have heard that before). They blew the doors off Washington St in the Apple Cup only to lose a close one to Penn St in the Fiesta Bowl.

Do they have what it takes to snag a playoff berth in 2018?

2018 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

North Division – #1

PAC 12 – #1

Washington Huskies 2018 Outlook

OFFENSE

There is a really nice foundation to work with this season. QB Jake Browning is back for his senior campaign and has the skill set and maturity to take the Huskies a long way. The offensive line should be fantastic and they boast outstanding RB Myles Gaskin (1,380, 21 TDs rushing LY) to carry the mail. RB Salvon Ahmed averaged 6.4 yards per carry last season and will be a more than adequate back-up. It seems impossible that the Huskies will be unable to achieve 200+ YPG on the ground (183 LY). The big question is in the receiving corps where they need to deal with the departure of WR Dante Pettis (63-761, 7 TD LY) and TE Will Dissly (#4 DC Seahawks). The good news is that they welcome back WR Chico McClatcher to the ranks after missing almost all of last season due to injury.

The Huskies averaged 36.2 PPG last season and we expect them to finish in the same ballpark in 2018.

DEFENSE

Washington has improved their PPG allowed in three consecutive campaigns from 24.8 in 2014 to an outstanding 16.1 in 2017 (#8 scoring defense FBS). This year they return 9 starters to the stop unit and boast star power at every level of the defense. 2nd Team PAC 12 honoree NT Greg Gaines is a fine space eater in the middle of the line and leading tackler Ben Burr-Kirven is there to clean up the mess (2nd Team PAC 12). The secondary is one of the best in college football with four returning starters that allowed just 10 (!) TD passes in 2017 (15 INT). Their pair of safeties is a nightmare for opposing squads (JoJo McIntosh – 2nd Team PAC 12, Taylor Rapp – 1st Team PAC 12).

There is no reason to think that anything other than a top-10 finish in total defense (LY – #8) is in the cards.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Argh!

The best punt returner in college football history (like, for real, like totally, like) Dante Pettis is off to the NFL (San Francisco) after taking an NCAA record nine (!) punts to the house during his amazing career at Washington. The kickoff return crew should be fine but they are breaking in a new PK.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – It’s not a cakewalk, that’s for sure. They open up with a yuuuuuge neutral site (Atlanta) game with Auburn and also get a taste of BYU at the end of September.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – BYU (September 29). This event pops up in a big-time PAC 12 sandwich (after Utah, Arizona St; before road trips to UCLA and Oregon). Not an ideal place to be laying major lumber.

Season Win Total

Over 10.5 +120

Under 10.5 -140

MEGALOCKS says:

Boy. This is a tough one. We love the look of the Huskies this season but it seems too much to take them over a high number like 10.5. Pass for now.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

HC Chris Petersen has an all-time record of 129-29. >>>>>>>>>>>> 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.

It’s go time.

Washington has an open door to the PAC 12 title in our estimation. This is an optimal opportunity to SPANK DAT AZZ and leave no doubt who the best team in the conference is in 2018. The offense is loaded other than a bit of uncertainty at WR. The defense is lights out. Chris Peterson is one the best head coaches of our generation. But can they function as the hunted? (vs the hunter)

Chris Peterson has fought his way to a 54% mark vs the point spread during his time with the Huskies and has yet to endure a losing season vs Vegas. This is despite being a pretty hot property with Degenerate Nation. The PAC 12 is absent of a bunch of HOT teams in our estimation and it seems like Washington is set up for a big run this year. Keep them on your radar when building your weekly betting cards.

Want more Washington Football ?

WEBSITE

http://www.gohuskies.com/index.aspx?path=football

FORUM

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NEWS

http://www.uwdawgpound.com/

http://bleacherreport.com/washington-huskies-football