Are the Huskies on the decline in 2015?
Could the Washington Huskies really regress in head coach Chris Petersen's second season on the job? Yes, the Huskies are rebuilding. However, Petersen is one of the best coaches in the entire country.
Sports Illustrated's Colin Becht recently profiled the Pac-12 conference and named the Huskies as the team most on the decline. Here's his explanation:
"The Huskies lack a clear answer under center, and while their top three running backs all return, they’ll struggle to maintain an effective ground game unless a rebuilt offensive line can jell quickly. Washington’s offensive line ranked 98th last year in adjusted line yards, according to Football Outsiders, and now returns just one starter. The Huskies’ offense was hardly record-setting last year, but a star-studded defense helped them pick up eight wins. With four players selected in the first two rounds of the 2014 NFL draft, that star power is gone. Chris Petersen has his work cut out for him to keep Washington bowl-eligible."
(h/t Sports Illustrated)