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Washington made steady progress under former coach Steve Sarkisian, increasing the win total from five in 2009 to nine in 2013. However, the Huskies never challenged Oregon or Stanford for the top spot in the North or finished better than 5-4 in Pac-12 play. New coach Chris Petersen comes to Seattle after a successful stint at Boise State. Petersen is regarded as one of the top coaches in the nation, but he inherits a roster with question marks at quarterback and running back. Are the Huskies ready to take the next step in 2014?



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Previewing Washington’s Offense for 2014:

The first order of business for new coach Chris Petersen will be to settle on a quarterback. Mobile sophomore Cyler Miles, last season’s backup, was the logical choice until the Denver-area product was arrested in connection with a couple of Super Bowl-related altercations involving Seahawks fans. Miles was cleared of any criminal charges but still missed spring practice. He was reinstated to the team in mid-May. Sophomore Jeff Lindquist and redshirt freshman Troy Williams shared spring duties and were inconsistent. The job is far from settled, but Miles is the leading candidate going into fall practice.

Sophomore Dwayne Washington, a 6'2", 221-pounder with breakaway speed, has been groomed to replace Bishop Sankey at running back and has plenty of potential. He snapped off scoring runs of 71 and 32 yards against Oregon State and 52 against Colorado. A wild card is junior linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was given several carries during the spring and was impressive.

The receivers look promising, yet there are nagging issues. Senior Kasen Williams, with career totals of 142 catches for 1,726 yards and 13 scores, is attempting to bounce back from a serious leg injury. Sophomore Damore’ea Stringfellow, a three-game starter, was charged in the Super Bowl incidents and remains suspended indefinitely. Until everyone’s status is clear, the Huskies will throw to junior Jaydon Mickens (team-leading 65 catches) and sophomore John Ross, the fastest player on the team. Junior Joshua Perkins, who had three TD catches among five receptions at tight end, is an able replacement for NFL-bound Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

A seasoned offensive line should give the new quarterback and tailback plenty of time to acclimate to their jobs. The Huskies return all five starters, four of whom are seniors.



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Previewing Washington’s Defense for 2014:

The front wall remains solidly intact with starters back at each spot, notably disruptive players in senior end Hau’oli Kikaha and senior tackle Danny Shelton. After missing consecutive seasons with knee injuries, Kikaha recorded 13 sacks and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2013. The 6'2", 332-pound Shelton is highly effective at stuffing the run.

Proven players are in abundance at linebacker in senior John Timu and Thompson, both returning starters, and junior Travis Feeney, a former starter. Timu will enter his fourth season as a first-team player and brings a steadying influence. The multi-talented Thompson plays like another safety, only closer to the line of scrimmage.

In the secondary, Petersen has major issues. He will build around junior corner Marcus Peters, one of the league’s better cover guys. Otherwise, the Huskies will turn to young, untested players to fill in the gaps. Speedy top recruit Budda Baker could find his way into the lineup immediately, either at safety or cornerback. Redshirt freshman corner Jermaine Kelly, one of the UW’s top 2013 recruits, is ready to step in.

Previewing Washington’s Specialists for 2014:

Travis Coons, who handled every field goal, extra point and punt in 2013, has moved on, leaving the kicking game unproven. Replacements are sophomore Cameron Van Winkle, who handled kickoff chores in his first year, and junior Korey Durkee, the UW’s starting punter briefly in 2012 who was limited to holder duties last season. The Huskies aren’t hurting in the return game. The versatile Ross ran back a kickoff 100 yards for a score in the Fight Hunger Bowl.

Final Analysis

Petersen inherits the bulk of a 9–4 bowl team left behind by Steve Sarkisian, who bolted after five seasons for USC. Both lines are intact. If he can find some offensive playmakers, namely a quarterback, and rebuild the depleted secondary, Petersen could move the Huskies up a notch right away and make the rest of the Pac-12 understandably uncomfortable.



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Five Reasons Why Athlon Sports is Picking Washington No. 24:

1. Upgrade at head coach?

Steve Sarkisian brought stability to Washington after the Huskies went 0-12 in 2008. Chris Petersen is unproven at the BCS level, but after a 92-12 mark at Boise State, he could be the right pick to move Washington up the Pac-12 pecking order.

2. Who replaces Keith Price at quarterback?

Petersen opened spring without the leading candidate to replace Keith Price, as Cyler Miles was suspended due to an off-the-field incident. Miles was reinstated in mid-May and will return in time for fall practice, but he is behind Troy Williams and Jeff Lindquist in learning the new offense.

3. Does Washington have a replacement for running back Bishop Sankey?

Sankey was one of the nation’s top running backs in 2013, recording 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns on 327 attempts. The Huskies have options in Dwayne Washington, Deontae Cooper and Jesse Callier, but the wildcard to watch is linebacker Shaq Thompson.

4. Favorable schedule

Due to a road trip at Hawaii to start the year, Washington will play 13 games in 2014. The Huskies should be 4-0 before a home date against Stanford on Sept. 27. Road games at Washington State, Arizona and Oregon won’t be easy, but Washington has enough winnable matchups to push for 10 victories.

5. Strength in the trenches

Washington’s offensive line play has been inconsistent in recent years, but the Huskies return all five starters for 2014. On the defensive side, end Hau’oli Kikaha and tackle Danny Shelton are among the best in the Pac-12.