[bbm233]

On the other side of the coin, as a Seattle resident, I have never seen such optimism regarding the Huskies' prospects - even from the notoriously ego-centric Dawg-fan. I suppose they have the right to believe they will be great:
- returning 9 starters on offense (lost John Ross, who was undeniably a unique play-maker; and one of their o-linemen). They believe they have more than adequate replacements.
- returning Jake Browning who set the conference record with 45 TDs last year.
- returning Miles Gaskin, who is on pace to be the Huskies' all time leading ground gainer. His backup, Lavon Coleman, led the conference in YPC.
- returning two o-line who are projected to be 1st round picks in next year's draft.

they lost some key pieces on defense, but
- returning several massive d-line, including Vita Vea who some say will be a top-10 pick in next year's draft
- returning all of their LBs
- lost 3 starters in the secondary (all drafted), but they think the next guys are just as good

And they have Chris Petersen to guide them, another ultra-weak non-conference schedule, and no U$C. Stanford and WSU on the road are circled on the calendar.

Expectations are that anything short of a return trip to the playoffs will be disappointing. Frankly, it's hard to argue with that.

[bbm233]

On the other side of the coin, as a Seattle resident, I have never seen such optimism regarding the Huskies' prospects - even from the notoriously ego-centric Dawg-fan. I suppose they have the right to believe they will be great:
- returning 9 starters on offense (lost John Ross, who was undeniably a unique play-maker; and one of their o-linemen). They believe they have more than adequate replacements.
- returning Jake Browning who set the conference record with 45 TDs last year.
- returning Miles Gaskin, who is on pace to be the Huskies' all time leading ground gainer. His backup, Lavon Coleman, led the conference in YPC.
- returning two o-line who are projected to be 1st round picks in next year's draft.

they lost some key pieces on defense, but
- returning several massive d-line, including Vita Vea who some say will be a top-10 pick in next year's draft
- returning all of their LBs
- lost 3 starters in the secondary (all drafted), but they think the next guys are just as good

And they have Chris Petersen to guide them, another ultra-weak non-conference schedule, and no U$C. Stanford and WSU on the road are circled on the calendar.

Expectations are that anything short of a return trip to the playoffs will be disappointing. Frankly, it's hard to argue with that.