Washington football: 5 questions the Washington Huskies must answer in 2020

Washington football questions: 2. Can the defense be one of the best in CFB?

Because of Jimmy Lake’s background as a defensive coordinator, there are going to be high expectations on that side of the ball for the Huskies. While Lake has more than proven his value as a coach in that regard, he does have the fortune of getting to coach a unit that he build that has the firepower to be one of the better defenses in the Pac-12 and perhaps the entire country.

Last year was not a banner year for the Washington defense but a big reason for that was their reliance on youth. They had 10 new starters on that side of the ball and it showed more often than not. However, that narrative now changes as the Huskies return a group that is littered with highly talented players who now have experience under their belts.

The defense will be led first in the secondary by Elijah Molden. The cornerback had four interceptions a year ago and a team-high 79 tackles as well. He’s a ballhawk who simply has a nose for playmaking, whether it be coming up and making a tackle or getting after the football in coverage. He’ll get some help up front from Levi Onwuzurike, a game-wrecking defensive tackle.

When you then consider a secondary that goes six deep, at minimum, with quality players and a defensive front that has two edge pass-rushers, Ryan Bowman and Joe Tryon, who combined for 13.5 sacks last season, Washington is going to be dangerous on this side of the ball. As the questions on offense mount, the Huskies should be able to hang their hat on the side of the ball Lake is most familiar with.