Washington Huskies 2017 Football Schedule Game By Game Analysis

Washington Huskies 2017 Football Schedule offers plenty of challenge as we sort through the Game By Game Analysis

The Washington Huskies enter the 2017 Football season riding the waves of highs and lows.  High, in that the team finished with a 12-2 record, good enough for an appearance in the Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Low, in that the roster was pillaged by the 2017 NFL Draft, with eight players entering professional football. That includes star wide receiver John Ross III, and three very effective defensive backs in Sidney Jones IV, Kevin King, and Budda Baker.

Now the team must restock the shelves on the fly, as the team will be the target of each team in their quest to gain national headlines.  This will be the true test of head coach Chris Petersen, as he will need to find new ways to arrive at a familiar place.

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But don’t discount the football know-how of the Washington Huskies head coach. He will not only have the team ready to play, but ready to win.  And so, let me walk you through a narrative of the season-yet-to-be.

Schedule

We had published the schedule for the 2017 football season at its release in January 2017.  At the time, the first blush was encouraging. Now we flesh out the skeleton with some game by game analysis and projections.

Autzen Zoo

This is no small feat, as injuries, momentum and team chemistry all play major roles on a week by week basis.  But we are not intimidated:

Calendar

Fri., Sept. 1: Washington at Rutgers
Sat., Sept. 9: Montana at Washington
Sat., Sept. 16: Fresno State at Washington
Sat., Sept. 23: Washington at Colorado
Sat., Sept. 30: Washington at Oregon State
Sat., Oct. 7: California at Washington
Sat., Oct. 14: Washington at Arizona State
Sat., Oct. 21: BYE
Sat., Oct. 28: UCLA at Washington
Sat., Nov. 4: Oregon at Washington
Fri., Nov. 10: Washington at Stanford
Sat., Nov. 18: Utah at Washington
Sat., Nov. 25: Washington State at Washington
Fri., Dec. 1 or Sat., Dec. 2: Pac-12 Football Championship Game (ESPN)

Fri., Sept. 1: Washington at Rutgers

The Washington Huskies open the season with a cross country contest against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.  The Scarlet Knights are coming off a difficult season, a two win ten loss campaign in 2016 for first year head coach Chris Ash.  On the bright spot, they won those two games at home.

One of those losses came at the season opener to the Huskies in Seattle. Now, the Scarlet Knights will face the Huskies on their home turf, hoping to avenge the 2016 loss.  In that game, the Huskies jumped out to a 48-3 lead before easing off.  Rutgers scored the final ten points in that game.

Early Scare Final Fair

This game will start out competitively. In fact, the Scarlet Knights may surprise everyone with an early lead in the contest, as running back Josh Hicks will be fed the ball often.   But the fireworks of the Huskies offense will kick in mid second quarter, and will give the Huskies momentum at halftime.

The second have of the game with be all Washington.  Look for aerial fireworks out of quarterback Jake Browning, who will fire at will to receivers Chico McClatcher and  Dante Pettis Jr . Once the Huskies get a solid lead, it will be a constant feed to running backs Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman Jr.  The final score of 42 -21 is a fair showing. A solid victory, but plenty for Coach Petersen to take back to the practice field and improve upon.

Sat., Sept. 9: Montana at Washington

The second contest pits the Montana Grizzlies visiting the Washington Huskies.  This game will have plenty of passing throughout the day.  The visiting Grizzlies have a solid offense, with plenty of returners on the offensive line and wide receivers.

But the Grizzlies need a replacement for graduating quarterback Brady Gufstason and running back John Nguyen.  While  Montana will need to select a starting qb from senior Reese Phillips, junior transfer Caleb Hill and redshirt freshman Gresch Jensen, that decision will be history by the time these teams lock up.

Release the Gaskin!

But you can bet the Huskies will be ready.  The Grizzlies offense will show flashes of great play, as the Huskies defensive backs continue to work on improving.  There is no chink in the Huskies offense however.  Running back Myles Gaskin will bludgeon the Grizzlies on his way to flirt with 200 yards rushing.  That will set up Browning for another fine passing day.

In the end, the score is closer than the game.

Sat., Sept. 16: Fresno State at Washington

Game three of the 2017 season finds the 2-0 Washington Huskies hosting the Fresno Statue Bulldogs. At first glance, I viewed this game as a potential trap game, and I’m not convinced it won’t be. But Fresno State finished the 2016 season 1-11, with the lone victory coming against the Sacramento State Hornets.

Fresno State has since brought in former California coach Jeff Tedford to turn the program around. But he will have his work cut out for him against the Washington Huskies home field advantage.

That’s No Bull, Dawg!

The Bulldogs will not have an easy time of the Huskies.  As the last of the non-conference games, Coach Petersen will use this game as a rallying point to build towards the following week’s PAC-12 2016 Championship rematch.

You can expect much stronger defensive play in this game.  And you can mark down linebacker Azeem Victor for better than 15 tackles in this game (I project 20). This game has all the makings of a trap game. But Coach Petersen keeps team prepared, and turns it into a tune up for the big showdown with Colorado.

Sat., Sept. 23: Washington at Colorado

The fourth game is an early rematch of the 2016 PAC-12 Championship game. Both teams know what is at stake and hold nothing back.  And the two teams are quite familiar with one another.
Both teams will likely enter the contest nationally ranked, and that sets up this game for national attention.

The Buffalo want to avenge the stinging 41-10 loss at the hands of the Washington Huskies, and have reason to feel confident. They return five starting wide receivers and quarterback Steven Montez.

Close But No Weo Colorado

That does not bode well for the newly reformed defensive backfield of the Washington Huskies. But the Buffalo will have their own work cut out for them with new starting quarterback Steven Montez.  And Colorado are in their own midst of replacing three defensive backs.

So you would expect a shoot out, right?   But this contest will be amped-up on athletic adrenaline,  and that means it will be a defensive slobber-knocker.  The difference once more will be those bursts from running back Myles Gaskin, who shreds Colorado on his way to 140 yards rushing.

A close one, but a close win.

Sat., Sept. 30: Washington at Oregon State

The last game of September 2017 finds the Washington Huskies on the road once more in another PAC-12 contest, facing off against the Oregon State Beavers. Once more a PAC-12 team hosts the Huskies in hope to avenge a 2016 loss.

Oregon State brought head coach Gary Andersen from Wisconsin in 2014 to turn their football team into a winner. So far, winning is only sporadic, and will continue to be so into 2017.  The Beavers must annoint a starting quarterback from either transfer Jake Luton, incumbant Darell Garretson, and relief quarterback Marcus McMaryion.

Stepped On A Nall

The Huskies did not see running back Ryan Nall when the last met, but you can believe the team will see plenty of him in this contest.  In fact, he will run for over 100 yards for the home team.

But Jake Browning will not be denied on the road. Facing a close game, perhaps even falling behind in the second half, the airways open up for the Huskies.  Look for late game heroics out of both wide receivers Chico McClatcher and Dante Pettis Jr.  Two fourth quarter touchdowns seals the victory for the visiting Huskies.

Sat., Oct. 7: California at Washington

The Huskies open October 2017 home at last.  This time, the team faces the California Golden Bears. A year ago, the Washington Huskies decimated the California Golden Bears 66-27.  This year, the game won’t be that close.

California has plenty of holes to fill on the roster, and this early matchup does not afford the Golden Bears enough time to figure it out. Head coach Sonny Dykes, quarterbackDavis Webb, and wide receiver Chad Hansen are gone. Now, the California Golden Bears have brought in defensive guru Justin Wilcox as the new head coach to toughen up the team.

California Dreamin’

Wilcox is a former defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies from 2012-2013.  That history will give  California extra incentive. But like the Huskies, the Golden Bears must replace five defensive starters this year.  And in the new scheme, that will be doubly challenging.

But as the Golden Bears sort through all that, the Washington Huskies coast to a six win zero loss streak. The Huskies defense flirts with a shut out, allowing a late score.  Otherwise, this game is all Washington.

Sat., Oct. 14: Washington at Arizona State

Once the team finishes this contest, they arrive at a well timed bye week.  And so, this should be an easy one, right?  Well, Arizona State comes off their bye to face Washington heading into their bye.  So you think this is an easy W?

Not so fast my friend.

The Seattle-based Washington Huskies never like the heat, and the Arizona State Sun Devils will be roasting marshmallows in the stands.  Last season, 3-9 Arizona gave the Huskies all they could handle in a too-close-for-comfort 35-28 overtime win for the Huskies.  Last season, the Arizona State Sun Devils were 5-7, but four of those wins came early at home.

They thrive in heat.

Desert Storm

And so, the Washington Huskies will need to find it in themselves to fight off fatigue and mid season mental lapses to compete in the heat.  Thankfully, the team has some gas left in the tank, but just barely.  This game is much tougher to win than it appears on paper.  Look for late game heroics. This time from the defense.

Look for free safety Jo Jo McIntosh to have a great game in center field.  In fact, this game smells like a pick-six for the young man.  Whether he lands a game-winner touchdown or just plays all over the field, the results are the same.

The Washington Huskies survive another scare in the desert. The team finally stumbles in to the bye week for a well deserved break in the action.

Sat., Oct. 28: UCLA at Washington

The Washington Huskies, barring injuries, should be at full throttle when the team hosts the UCLA Bruins as October draws to a close.

The teams last met in 2014, where the visiting Bruins defeated the Huskies 44-30.  But that was then and this is now.  UCLA will not emerge from Seattle with a win.   Even they know it.  So what will this game look like?

Well, it won’t be the blow out you might think.  The Washington Huskies emerge from the bye week on fire, and jump out to a a huge first half lead.  So huge, that some may be tempted to leave early to beat stadium traffic home.

Bru Who?

But those who stay will be glad they did.  The Washington Huskies will need plenty of fan support in this one. With two “make or break” games coming up, the Huskies risk looking past the bad news Bruins, especially after racking up a daunting lead.

But UCLA makes a game of it.  This will be the game of two halves. In the first half, the Washington Huskies look unbeatable.  In the second half, the Huskies need the home field crowd to win.

Sat., Nov. 4: Oregon at Washington

Oregon visits Washington as game one of two very difficult consecutive games.  The Washington Huskies defeated the Oregon Ducks by the score of 70-21.  That was the was the first win by the Huskies over the Ducks in some time, twelve consecutive losses to be exact.

So you can bet the Washington Huskies will not take this game lightly.  Nor should they.  This will be Willie Taggert’s debut contest against the Washington Huskies.  But Taggert has no previous experience with the team. So you can expect the Ducks to play inconsistent football in 2017.

Duck And Cover

That being said, do not expect mercy from the Huskies in this contest.  This game is not only about winning, but in the subtle hierarchy of recruiting.  Coach Petersen has made inroads into Oregon now, and intends to keep them.

So this game is about savvy head coach versus newcomer.  Watch for tight end Drew Sample to emerge as a receiving threat in this one.  With Oregon struggling defensively, the defense will likely overshift to the two top threats: Myles Gaskin and Dante Pettis. That leaves Sample covered by linebackers all day, a mismatch he should win often.

Fri., Nov. 10: Washington at Stanford

The Stanford Cardinals want nothing better than to overthrow the Washington Huskies in this November showdown. Unfortunately, the may get their wish.

It’s not that I think Stanford has a better team, simply that I believe the Washington Huskies will lose a game this season, and this appears to be the most likely game.  This game is so important to the team, that I have it identified as one of the five steps needed to repeat as PAC-12 champions.

A Cardinal Win

This one is a rough one.  For the true football fan, it offers it all. Huge defensive stops. Great passes. Solid running.  The defensive backfield, the strength of the 2016 Huskies team, fails to defend the lead as time runs out.

After a back and forth contest, it’s the last second field goal by Stanford’s Charlie Beal, who punches in a long one to win the game.  A late season loss can hurt the team’s chances significantly.  That’s why this game is such a must win.  Both team’s enter the game nationally ranked.  Both teams exit ranked as well.

Now Washington’s record falls to 8-1, and the team has another tremendous opponent in the Utah Utes coming to town.

Sat., Nov. 18: Utah at Washington

After two grueling contests, the Washington Huskies are looking for relief, but the schedule offers little as Utah comes to town.  The Utah Utes are a big bruising team that loves to mix it up in the trenches.

Despite hiring new offensive coordinator Troy Taylor, the Utah offense will stick with the tried and true.  Ground offense and smothering defense.

Ah, but the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  The Washington Huskies offensive line is angry after the previous week loss.  In fact, the entire team is pretty upset.

You Saw Utah?

But running back Myles Gaskin does his best “I’m about that action, boss!” impersonations at the expense of the Utes. His number will approach if not break the 200 yards rushing mark.  And that is not all.

Jake Browning shines.  When his team needs him most, he passes with precision and effectiveness in this game. Behind an offensive line that give plenty of time, he patiently waits for his receivers to find daylight, and then finds them with the ball.  The Utes are a very good team, but not on this day.

Sat., Nov. 25: Washington State at Washington

The 2017 Apple Cup is at stake, so you can be certain that this game will mark all out performances by both teams.  Washington State is a very good team, and wants to go out on top this year.  But the Washington Huskies have their number.

The Washington State Cougars come to town at the end of a very impressive season.  Quarterback Luke Falk has a great season, and is already rumored to be a high draft choice in the 2018 NFL Draft. Wide Receiver Tavaris Martin Jr. will be back too.

But the Washington Huskies have endured the agony of defeat once this year, and once is enough. This game could very well be for the PAC-12 North title, and when Coach Petersen smells titles, he smells victory.

Look for the Washington Huskies defense to come up huge.  Defensive tackle Vita Vea will dominate on the defensive line, and that pressure will force Falk to throw off his heels.  The defensive backs come up big in this game, bringing in two interceptions.  With the Huskies firing on all cylinders, they grab the lead and force the Cougars to air it out in the second half.

This one is a thriller, and rockets the Huskies to the PAC-12 North title.

Fri., Dec. 1 or Sat., Dec. 2: Pac-12 Football Championship Game (ESPN)

COLORADO (10-2) VS WASHINGTON (11-1)

The Colorado Buffalos hold on for the PAC-12 South Title and earn the opportunity to unseat the PAC-12 Champion Washington Huskies from the throne. Despite the heralding praises bestowed upon USC, this is not the year for the Trojans.

While some would hope for USC, the Buffalos are not ready to relinquish their previous season’s title just yet.

Bye Some Bison!

Like the previous year’s matchup, the Washington Huskies have this game well in hand. And the Huskies , the Huskies get plenty of action from Myles Gaskin once more.  But Lavon Coleman is the hero.  Sliding out to the flat, the Huskies running back becomes the unaccounted for receiver.

Daylight means lots of running room.

Colorado is frustrated by the balanced offensive attack, and struggle to get an momentum going . They simply cannot find the key to win against this very motivated opponent.  In the end, the Washington Huskies defense rises to the challenge.   Pass defense becomes very stingy, holding Colorado to just under 200 yards passing.

The Washington Huskies improve to 12-1, and await the nation’s decision for an NCAA playoff invitation.

Next: Six Washington Huskies Will Join Pros Via 2018 NFL Draft

This time, the Huskies will be prepared.