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re: Washington vs. Auburn in Atlanta Opening Weekend
Posted on 4/5/18 at 10:56 am to LaBR4
Posted on 4/5/18 at 10:56 am to LaBR4
7. Washington
Previous Way-Too-Early rank: 8
2017 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Returning starters: Eight offense, nine defense, one special teams
Key losses: DT Vita Vea, WR Dante Pettis, G Andrew Kirkland, C Coleman Shelton, TE Will Dissly, LB Keishawn Bierria
Outlook: The Huskies look like the class of the Pac-12 in 2018, and they might even be CFP contenders now that tailback Myles Gaskin has decided to return to school. He ran for 1,380 yards with 21 touchdowns this past season. The offense also returns some key contributors who were lost to season-ending injuries, including left tackle Trey Adams, tight end Hunter Bryant and receiver Chico McClatcher.
Jake Browning will become the league's best quarterback with USC's Sam Darnold, UCLA's Josh Rosen and Washington State's Luke Falk departing. The Huskies might have picked up their quarterback of the future in Georgia transfer Jacob Eason, who is reportedly expected to enroll and will have to sit out the 2018 season under NCAA transfer rules.
The Huskies will miss Vea, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Bierria, their emotional leader on defense.
13. Auburn
Previous Way-Too-Early rank: 12
2017 record: 10-4, 7-1 SEC
Returning starters: Six offense, five defense, one special teams
Key losses: RB Kerryon Johnson, RB Kamryn Pettway, CB Carlton Davis, LB Jeff Holland, OT Austin Golson, C Casey Dunn, G Braden Smith, OT Darius James, LB Tre' Williams, SS Stephen Roberts, FS Tray Matthews
Outlook: What an aggravating season for the Tigers, who twice beat the No. 1-ranked team in the country and then watched those teams (Alabama and Georgia) play for the CFP National Championship. Auburn's resurgence was enough to land coach Gus Malzahn a seven-year contract extension after Arkansas tried to hire him as its new coach.
The Tigers will miss Johnson, who ran for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season, and Pettway, who also is turning pro. They'll also have to replace four of five starters on the offensive line. With quarterback Jarrett Stidham returning, along with most of his top wideouts, the Tigers should have a potent passing game.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has built one of the better units in the SEC, but the Tigers will miss Holland's pass-rushing skills and Davis' coverage skills.
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Previous Way-Too-Early rank: 8
2017 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Returning starters: Eight offense, nine defense, one special teams
Key losses: DT Vita Vea, WR Dante Pettis, G Andrew Kirkland, C Coleman Shelton, TE Will Dissly, LB Keishawn Bierria
Outlook: The Huskies look like the class of the Pac-12 in 2018, and they might even be CFP contenders now that tailback Myles Gaskin has decided to return to school. He ran for 1,380 yards with 21 touchdowns this past season. The offense also returns some key contributors who were lost to season-ending injuries, including left tackle Trey Adams, tight end Hunter Bryant and receiver Chico McClatcher.
Jake Browning will become the league's best quarterback with USC's Sam Darnold, UCLA's Josh Rosen and Washington State's Luke Falk departing. The Huskies might have picked up their quarterback of the future in Georgia transfer Jacob Eason, who is reportedly expected to enroll and will have to sit out the 2018 season under NCAA transfer rules.
The Huskies will miss Vea, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Bierria, their emotional leader on defense.
13. Auburn
Previous Way-Too-Early rank: 12
2017 record: 10-4, 7-1 SEC
Returning starters: Six offense, five defense, one special teams
Key losses: RB Kerryon Johnson, RB Kamryn Pettway, CB Carlton Davis, LB Jeff Holland, OT Austin Golson, C Casey Dunn, G Braden Smith, OT Darius James, LB Tre' Williams, SS Stephen Roberts, FS Tray Matthews
Outlook: What an aggravating season for the Tigers, who twice beat the No. 1-ranked team in the country and then watched those teams (Alabama and Georgia) play for the CFP National Championship. Auburn's resurgence was enough to land coach Gus Malzahn a seven-year contract extension after Arkansas tried to hire him as its new coach.
The Tigers will miss Johnson, who ran for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season, and Pettway, who also is turning pro. They'll also have to replace four of five starters on the offensive line. With quarterback Jarrett Stidham returning, along with most of his top wideouts, the Tigers should have a potent passing game.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has built one of the better units in the SEC, but the Tigers will miss Holland's pass-rushing skills and Davis' coverage skills.
LINK
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