It was a rough year last year for the Pac-12 teams in the Evergreen State. Keith Price had an up and down year under center for the Washington Huskies, and while they recovered late in the season to stun Oregon State, it was still an underwhelming fourth year for Steve Sarkisian's squad. The Washington State Cougars passing attack was one of the best in the nation in the first year under Mike Leach, but the defense was anything but and the team struggled in Pac-12 play.
Now with Price ready to rebound in his final season, and Leach's recruits ready to give fans in Pullman reason to believe, there is hope for both squads coming into the 2013 season.
Washington Huskies (7-6, 5-4 in conference in 2012)
If there is any reason to believe in the Huskies this season, it is the amount of players returning to the team. Keith Price struggled at times last season and found his time in the pocket limited. But he still has one of the best arms in the Pac-12 and has a full complement of talented players at his disposal. Based on his spring showings, Price looks to bring back the electrifying passer from 2011.
His best weapon is tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the consensus top tight end in the conference and an overwhelming favorite to be the first tight end taken in the 2014 draft. His combination of size and speed gives him an almost unfair edge, and his hands and control of his body during catches remind many scouts of Tony Gonzalez. The Huskies also return their leading receiver from a year ago in Kasen Williams, giving Price two excellent targets. Jaydon Mickens looks to expand on a strong freshman campaign.
Running the ball for the Huskies once again will be Bishop Sankey, who had 1,439 yards last season as a sophomore, good enough for fifth in the Pac-12. Sankey thrived against weaker competition, but struggled against top teams and will need to find the extra gear needed to take on the top teams in the conference. During the Las Vegas Bowl last season, he showed that gear, running for 205 yards against Boise State in a losing effort. With four of the five offensive linemen from a year ago returning, Sankey should be able to repeat his 1,400 yard performance this season.
On defense, the recruits that Coach Sarkisian has pulled in are starting to show their promise, with sophomore linebacker Travis Feeney and sophomore cornerback Marcus Peters leading the youth movement. Defensive standout Shaq Thompson has moved over to linebacker, and if the change works out well, Feeney and Thompson can give the Huskies a powerful linebacking squad along with John Timu.
PREDICTION: 8-4 (6-3 in conference)
Washington State Cougars (3-9, 1-8 in conference in 2012)
Mike Leach had an eventful first season in Pullman, bringing his high-flying passing attack to the Pac-12 from the Big 12. Quarterback Connor Halliday split time last season with Jeff Tuel, and now will compete with freshman standout Austin Apodaca. Halliday struggled last season, barely completing more than half his passes, but should improve in his second year in Leach's system. In a throw first, second, and third system like Leach's, the team will live and die based on how Halliday or Apodaca perform.
Not to say the Cougars will not try and relieve some of the pressure off of the quarterback when available, but the Cougars running attack last season lacked any teeth whatsoever. The team's leading rusher had just 280 yards, and the running attack finished 124th in the nation at just 29 yards per contest. Teondray Caldwell will look to change that this season after a decent freshman season. The 5'8 sophomore is a fast runner with terrific agility, but will need the offense to open the holes for him.
The Cougars air attack is carried by a small army of talented wideouts. Dominique Williams can run with the best of defenders, Bobby Ratliff and Brett Bartolone have exceedingly high ceilings, and Gabe Marks and Isiah Myers are fearless in the slot. The offense will use 6 or 7 wide receivers per drive, constantly changing out to create mismatches, and the Cougars are in great shape at this position.
The Cougars defense is solid across the board, led by safety Deone Buchanan. When healthy, Buchanan is a powerful impact safety with good hands and the ability to inspire fear in opposing wideouts. Damante Horton and Nolan Washington join him for a secondary with good experience, though they had growing pains last season. The defensive line has two terrific players in tackle Ioane Gauta and end Xavier Cooper, and their run defense has been among the best in the conference.
PREDICTION: 4-8 (2-7 in conference)
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