Washington College Football Predictions 2009
Written June 28, 2009 by InfoPlays
It’s a complete restart, with new head coach Steve Sarkisian not retaining anybody from the old staff. Most of the key players return from a year ago, which finally gives the Washington Huskies a fair amount of experience as they attempt to overcome a winless season. If Jake Locker stays upright and grasps the new system quickly, the offense should improve. The defense can only get better after ranking 116th in scoring defense a year ago. The Huskies will win a few, but not much more. Washington is listed at +7500 to win the Pac-10 Conference Championship in 2009 according to the NCAA football lines.
Offense: Sarkisian will mostly use the same pro-style attacked he headed up at USC, although the offense is worth tweaking to take advantage of the prodigious running talents of junior QB Jake Locker. That likely means keeping some of the spread elements implemented when Tyrone Washington was in control. Locker missed the final eight games of last season with a broken thumb, but he has returned fully healthy this season. He’ll be helped by not having to do everything on offense. But who will be providing that help? Junior receiver D’Andre Goodwin is the best place to start. He made 60 catches last season and is one of the team’s fastest players.
Tight end Kavario Middleton, the top recruit in the class of 2008, needs vast improvement as a blocker, but he is likely to take on a much bigger role as a pass-catcher this year. The tailback spot is completely uncertain heading into fall camp. Five players shared time in the spring, though the most likely starter would be Chris Polk, who started the first two games last season before suffering a shoulder injury. Freshman Demitrius Bronson is the biggest of UW’s backs and is likely to get the carries in short-yardage situations. The offensive line has three returning starters, the best of whom might be junior Ryan Tolar, who spent the spring alternating at guard and center.
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Defense: Luring defensive coordinator Nick Holt away from USC was perhaps Sarkisian’s biggest move in the offseason. He did so by offering a guaranteed three-year deal that could be worth $2.1 million, and he also promised Holt total control of the defense. At USC< Holt ceded play-calling duties to head coach Pete Carroll. Holt will be entrusted in the remaking of a defense that gave up a jaw-dropping 451.8 yards/game. The scheme will be similar to the one at USC, meaning a 4-3 base.
The hope for immediate improvement lies on the return of nine starters, including a couple potential all-conference candidates in end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim and outside linebacker Mason Foster. The former had eight sacks last season, which was half of the team total. All three starters return at linebacker, bolstered by the return of E.J. Savannah. He was the team’s leading tackler in 2007, but was not with the team last season. Linebacker appears to be the strongest unit on the team.
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