Washington Huskies 2022 College Football Preview

Washington Huskies 2022 College Football Preview

June 12, 2022

2021 Recap

Record – 4-8

ATS – 3-9

MEGALOCKS NATION. Do not adjust your sets. The Huskies DID indeed finish 4-8 last year. That was their first losing season since 2009 when they posted a mark of 5-7 under the tutelage of your pal Steve Sarkisian. They ended the year on a four-game skid but hope springs eternal as new HC Kalen DeBoer rolls into town and he’s got a great shot at turning this BAD BOY around. Let’s go!


Washington Huskies 2022 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Huskies were a major disappointment on offense last year and were atrocious when it came to running the ball (98 YPG – #125 FBS, 3.2 YPC – #120). They weren’t much better in the THROW GAME as starting QB Dylan Morris booked a grim 14-12 TD to INT ratio. Oft-injured but OFT-AWESOME former Indiana Hoosier QB Michael Penix will be given every chance to win the job and he’ll be more than capable of spicing up the offense. The WR/TE group looks a bit sketchy but note that they were a VERY banged up unit in 2021. #2 RB Cameron Davis returns and the Huskies added a pair of good-looking transfers in Wayne Taulapapa (Virginia) and Aaron Dumas (New Mexico). It’s difficult to know if there are any true playmakers on offense and we’re a bit skeptical. The OL proved to be an overrated pile of TRASH last season but they do return four starters and maybe the new staff can get more out of these guys? It can’t hurt to build around a star LT in Jaxson Kirkland.

DEFENSE

Washington wasted an amazing season from their secondary (#3 FBS pass eff D, 6-10 TD to INT) (!) thanks to the aforementioned horrible offense and a run defense that was gashed and mauled for 194 YPG (#108 FBS, 2nd last PAC 12). Yup, that’s right kids. They only allowed six TD passes all year, by far the best mark in college football. They lose a pair of stars from the secondary (1st and 2nd round NFL DCs) and return just five starters overall on this side of the football. The DL should be much improved as they have good size inside and boast fierce edge-rusher LB Zion Tupuloa-Fetui. They scooped a PAIR of excellent LB specimens via the transfer portal including UAB tackling machine Kristopher Moll. That’ll help given the departure of leading tackler LB Jackson Sirmon. The run D will be much better, the pass D a bit worse, and overall we expect a slight drop in the YPG and PPG metrics.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Huskies have a reliable PK in Peyton Henry (11-14, 0-3 from 40+ tho) but need to break in a new punter. Primary KR and PR Giles Jackson was average LY.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – Yes, guy. The Huskies catch a major break with a VERY favorable schedule. They start with a pair of layups (although they did lose to something called Montana LY) and somehow miss USC and Utah from the former South division. They begin the year with four home games which should allow them to book some positive mojo. Facing QUACK QUACK on the road isn’t ideal but you can’t have everything.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – November 19 – Colorado

We don’t expect a lot from the Buffs but this game falls after the yuuuge game with Oregon and before the rivalry date with Washington St. The Cougars blasted Washington 40-13 in the 2021 season finale.

Season Win Total

per 5Dimes June 12

Over 7.5 -125

Under 7.5 -105

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean: Over

We aren’t crazy about the roster but it’s a definite upgrade at HC and the schedule sets up really well. There’s a reasonable chance they start 4-0. That number looks about right but we’d probably need to find a ‘7’ to take a stab.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Fun fact. In 2021, Washington finished with a (-8) turnover margin. The last time they booked a negative margin was back in 2008 when they finished 0-12. They were (-17) that year.


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

This could go either way. If they get dynamic QB play out of Michael Penix and find a serious weapon or two at RB/WR there’s no reason why they can’t double last year’s anemic win total. It’s just hard to have faith in an immediate turnaround after what we witnessed on offense last year. New HC Kalen DeBoer and friends may need a year to get settled in whilst building toward 2023.


Want more Washington Football ?

WEBSITE

https://gohuskies.com/sports/football

FORUM

http://hardcorehusky.com/discussions

https://247sports.com/college/washington/Board/Husky-Football-105876/

https://washington.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-12th-man.8/

NEWS

https://realdawghuskies.com/

http://www.uwdawgpound.com/

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/

https://thehuskyhaul.com/

https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/264/washington-huskies