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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) looks to pass during warm-ups prior to the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) looks to pass during warm-ups prior to the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /
9

Washington Huskies

2016: 12-2, Pac 12- North Division

The Washington Huskies had a terrific 2016 season, making it all the way to the College Football Playoff thanks to their Pac-12 championship. In 2017, they return nearly every big piece to their puzzle on offense, except for a certain receiver who could go early in the first round of the NFL Draft. That player is John Ross, who was Jake Browning’s favorite target en-route to a Heisman-worthy campaign by the young signal-caller.

Browning will be back under center in 2017, and while Ross is gone, Dante Pettis should be able to pick up the slack at the WR1 position. In the backfield, fellow Heisman candidate Myles Gaskin will head the running game, and will once again be backed up by solid runner, Lavon Coleman. The Huskies should be explosive every time they get the ball, but the real question will be can they stop the pass on defense.

While the Huskies should have no trouble putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, their defensive secondary took a huge hit after last season. Safety Budda Baker is gone, as is cornerback Sidney Jones, who ranked as the best in the Pac-12 last season. Taylor Rapp and JoJo McIntosh are strong defensive backs, who will be expected to step up and fill those voids, but it is certainly is not going to happen overnight.

The schedule definitely favors Washington in 2017, as they only have two really hard road games on the slate. While they travel to play Colorado and Stanford, they do get to play host to UCLA, Oregon, and Washington State. The Pac-12 is loaded with arm talent, with Washington at the forefront, but the secondary will have to get stops if they hope to repeat as conference champions this season.

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