Washington Huskies

2015 record: 7-6 overall, 4-5 in Pac-12 play

Most pressing offensive storyline: The Huskies need their passing game to advance with second-year starting QB Jake Browning, who showed significant improvement over the final third of the 2015 season. Browning should be better, but he will be without his top two receivers in Jaydon Mickens and TE Joshua Perkins. That means Dante Pettis and Brayden Lenius need to step up, while youngsters such as Chico McClatcher and Isaiah Renfro need to grow up.

Things appear to be coming together in Year 3 for Washington Huskies coach Chris Petersen. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Most pressing defensive storyline: Washington had the best defense in the Pac-12 last year, which was surprising after it lost four stars to the first two rounds of the 2015 NFL draft. While it's only replacing four starters, two are linebackers -- Travis Feeney and Cory Littleton -- who led the team in tackles for a loss and sacks. So the defense will be looking for folks who can attack an opposing offense and make plays behind the line of scrimmage, particularly as pass rushers.

Heat Index (1-10 scale, measure of pressure on the head coach): 2. While Chris Petersen wasn't able to wave a magic wand over the program and instantly make it a top-25 team, things appear to be coming together in Year 3. If the Huskies don't live up to top-25 expectations, faith in Petersen might slip, but at this point Huskies fans have their fingers crossed that they have the second-coming of Don James in place.

Returning starters/key returnees: 16 (8 offense; 7 defense; 1 special teams). QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskins, S Budda Baker, CB Sidney Jones, DT Greg Gaines, LB Azeem Victor, DT Elijah Qualls

Key losses: DT Taniela Tupou, LB Travis Feeney, LB Cory Littleton, WR Jaydon Mickens, TE Joshua Perkins

Newcomer to watch: Receiver John Ross is not a newcomer, but he missed the 2015 season with a knee injury and he could inject some much-needed playmaking into the offense. When healthy he is one of the Pac-12's fastest players, a guy who can have a major impact in the downfield passing game and on special teams. Freshman safety Taylor Rapp enrolled this winter and will compete for playing time opposite superstar Budda Baker.

Statistical void that needs filling: The Huskies offense needs to get better on third down and in the red zone. They ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in red-zone touchdown percentage in 2015 (58.5) and third-down conversion rate (37.9). That's about taking advantage of opportunities and extending drives, things good offenses do. It's reasonable to expect significant improvement, with Browning and the offensive line in front of him being far more seasoned than they were last fall.

Spring game date: April 23