It does seem like the program is reflecting Petersen's personality more and more. Talent-wise, they might not be at the level they were a year ago — certainly not defensively — so this season might be more of a test of how much Petersen and his staff can get out of a pretty inexperienced group. – Christian Caple
Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series previewing each of the opponents BYU, Utah and Utah State will face this season.
The matchups
Utah State at Washington, Sept. 19
3 p.m. MDT, TV: Pac-12 Networks
Husky Stadium, Seattle
Utah at Washington, Nov. 7
Time, TV TBA
Husky Stadium, Seattle
Year 2 of the Chris Petersen era in Washington is being met with tempered expectations, as the Huskies were picked to finish fourth in the Pac-12 North in the league's preseason media poll.
Washington opens fall camp on Saturday, and the Huskies will be looking to fill several vacated spots on the depth chart with just five returning starters on offense and four on defense. The departing talent on defense is especially telling: three former Husky defenders — nose tackle Danny Shelton, cornerback Marcus Peters and outside linebacker Shaq Thompson — were selected in the first round of this year's NFL draft. A fourth, outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha, was taken early in the second round.
Still, there is optimism that the youth on this year's Huskies team will be up to the task of a difficult schedule and Washington can learn from its close losses last year, including three losses by eight points or less.
The Deseret News caught up with Christian Caple, Washington football beat writer for The Tacoma News Tribune, to discuss the team's key position battles and find out how the process of implementing Petersen's system at Washington is coming along.
DN: What is your outlook on Chris Petersen now that he's in his second season at the helm?
CC: I think he's starting to get a little more comfortable with the job. Petersen has said quite a few times that it probably takes about 18-24 months after a coaching change to establish the new staff's culture — how they want players to act in the locker room and in the weight room, how they practice, how they carry themselves, etc. — and there were certainly some growing pains in that regard in Year 1 (see the dismissal of Marcus Peters). But it does seem like the program is reflecting Petersen's personality more and more. Talent-wise, they might not be at the level they were a year ago — certainly not defensively — so this season might be more of a test of how much Petersen and his staff can get out of a pretty inexperienced group.
DN: What is your take on the quarterback battle?
CC: I think that if I had to put money on it (thankfully, I don't), I'd guess that Jeff Lindquist will start the season opener at Boise State. That's based simply off the fact that none of the three competitors — Lindquist, K.J. Carta-Samuels, Jake Browning — really emerged in spring, and Lindquist seemed a little steadier than the other two. Plus, he does have some game experience, which might win out in the end if all other factors are relatively equal. It will be interesting to watch during camp, though. Any one of those guys could win the job by really taking a step forward in the next couple weeks.
DN: Who are the players to watch on offense?
CC: Dwayne Washington had a really strong finish last season and kind of finally stepped into that No. 1 tailback spot. He's strong and fast and has big-play ability. He could have a big year if he stays healthy and continues to mature as a runner. Jaydon Mickens, a senior receiver, is the veteran of the receiving corps, though sophomores Dante Pettis and Brayden Lenius should get plenty of chances this season, too. Lavon Coleman and Deontae Cooper should make the tailback competition pretty interesting.
DN: Who are the players to watch on defense/special teams?
CC: Budda Baker, a sophomore safety, played more snaps than anybody on the team last season as a true freshman, and he all of a sudden qualifies as somewhat of a veteran on a defense that lost seven starters. Sophomore cornerback Sidney Jones got a lot of playing time last year, too, and seems a sure thing to start at one corner spot this season. Fifth-year senior linebacker Travis Feeney is the Huskies' lone returning starter in the front seven. Keep an eye on guys like defensive tackle Elijah Qualls and defensive lineman Will Dissly up front.
DN: Other than quarterback, what question marks remain as Washington heads into fall camp?
CC: They have to decide on a few new starters on the offensive line after graduating a bunch of experience there. They need to shore up the starting spots among the new faces along the defensive line and at linebacker. And they need to find a kick returner to fill in for receiver John Ross III, who is out for the year with a torn ACL.