Washington Huskies football team deserves ESPN’s early 2021 number 14 ranking
ESPN released their Way Too Early Top 25 College Football Rankings. The Washington Huskies came in at 14. They deserve the honor.
After the College Football Championship Game ESPN came out with their Way Too Early Top 25. They have the Washington Huskies ranked 14th, right behind Oregon. The USC Trojans are the highest Pac-12 at number nine. By these rankings, the worldwide sports leader expects USC will face either Oregon or Washington in the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game.
At the end of last season, USC was the only Pac-12 school that showed up in all the polls. The only other conference team that showed up anywhere was Oregon who finished 25th in the College Football Playoff Rankings. So, why does ESPN rank the UW 14th in Way Too Early Top 25? As it turns out they have good reasons.
Offense
The first reason that comes up has to do with the experienced players coming back next season. The offense is potentially loaded. At quarterback, incumbent sophomore Dylan Morris showed in four games that he can play major college ball. Then there is incoming freshman Sam Huard, the top-ranked passing recruit.
All the team’s receivers except Ty Jones, who entered the transfer portal, also return in 2021. That includes Tyrell Bynum and Junior Nacua returning to their starting jobs. Among the other skill players returning next year are the team’s three-headed monster running back group of Kaman Pleasant, Sean McGrew, and Richard Newton as well as All Pac-12 tight end Cade Otten. Put those players together with the entire 2020 offensive line and it makes Washington hard to beat.
Whoever wins the Washington Huskies starting quarterback spot UW is in a win-win situation.
Defense
One of the hallmarks of Washington Huskies football is a strong defense. That tradition continues in 2021 with nine of eleven starters coming back. The losses of defensive backs Elijah Molden and Keith Taylor will hurt, but it’s a deep group with senior Kyler Gordon, along with juniors Alex Cook, Cameron Williams, Dominique Hampton, and Julius Irvin.
All the linebackers and defensive lineman will be returning including seniors outside linebacker Ryan Bowman, Josiah Bronson, and Zion Tupuola-Fetui. ZTF’s seven sacks earned him First-team Pac-12 and a Second-team All-American, all without being a starter. Also, freshman outside linebacker Sav’ell Smalls showed what he could do in this shortened season as well.
The biggest hole to fill is a replacement for defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski who left to run the Texas Longhorns defense. Kwiatkowski’s replacement has plenty to work with.
As to why the Washington Huskies are ranked 14th by ESPN going into next season, the answer is simple. UW has an overwhelming amount of talent and experience. They return 19 of last season’s 22 starters. Go Dawgs
Related Story: PAC-12 Football Power Rankings – Final 2020 Edition
Do you think the Washington Huskies derve a Top 15 ranking. Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.