TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– He’s taken down Bob Stoops, Gary Patterson, Frank Beamer, Mark Richt and Chip Kelly in his head coaching career, but now Chris Petersen eyes another marquee name.
The shocking upsets he accomplished came during his eight seasons as the head man of Boise State University (2006-13). Now in his third year at Washington, Petersen has crafted roster that emulates the very characteristics in making him the original dragon slayer. After getting the Huskies to its first outright Pac-12 championship since 1991, he guides the program to its first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Despite being the No. 4 seed, Washington carries one of the nation’s top scoring offenses (44.5 ppg) and an opportunistic defense (19 interceptions). A win over coach Nick Saban and Alabama would re-affirm Peterson as one of the top coaches in college football. He will have his chance on Saturday, Dec. 31 when the Huskies face the Crimson Tide in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Listed below are five players that give Washington its best angle at posing the biggest challenge against the reigning CFP national champions.
Washington’s top five impact players
5. Jake Browning, Quarterback, Sophomore
Former Boise State quarterbacks Jared Zabransky and Kellen Moore both excelled against elite competition under Petersen. Jake Browning possesses the same cerebral mindset and accurate arm talent, totaling 3,280 passing yards and a 63.2 percent completion rating with 42 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 13 games.
He leads a Huskies offense that ranks second nationally in efficiency (86.0), while placing 11th in total offense (6,203 yards, 477 yards/game). Browning is sixth in the nation in total quarterback rating (84.1), and has a passer rating of 176.5. Controlling time of possession and scoring touchdowns in the red zone (94.7 percent) are two aspects that Washington must dominate.
4. Kevin King, Defensive back, Senior
Kevin King was signed as a safety in Washington’s 2013 recruiting class, yet he’s played at both safety and cornerback. The 6-foot-3, 192-pounder leads the team in pass breakups (13) and has two interceptions.
He leads a secondary that averaged roughly two picks a game (19 on season).
Baiting Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts into some tough throws is ideal for the Huskies. Joining King in trying to disrupt the Tide’s receiving unit will be: Taylor Rapp, Sidney Jones and Budda Baker.
Rapp leads the unit in interceptions (four), while Baker has nine tackles for loss.
3. John Ross, Wide receiver, Junior
John Ross is Washington’s superstar on the perimeter.
His 17 touchdown catches tie him for second among NCAA Division I wide receivers with Carlos Henderson of Louisiana Tech. Ross leads the Huskies in receiving with 1,122 yards on 76 catches, while averaging 86.3 yards a game. He’s recorded three 100-yard outings and a 200-yard game against Southern California, despite a loss.
Getting first downs and working back to the quarterback are two elements Ross has added to his game.
He faces one of the better defensive backfields in the Tide having Minkah Fitzpatrick, Marlon Humphrey, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett and Tony Brown, but the junior doesn’t have problems with playing against man coverage or finding holes in zone coverage.
2. Myles Gaskin, Running back, Sophomore
Lavon Coleman spells him from time to time, but a 1,000-yard rusher holds rank in college football.
Myles Gaskin is second in the Pac-12 in rushing (Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, 1,603 yards), accounting for 1,339 yards and 10 touchdowns on 227 carries. The sophomore was credited with six 100-yard rushing performances, including one against Colorado where he totaled 159 yards in a 41-10 victory at the Pac-12 conference title game. He runs with toughness between the tackles, but has breakaway speed in space.
Cutting off angles and secure tackling are imperative for Alabama when limiting Gaskin’s ability.
1. Psalm Wooching, Outside linebacker, Senior
Don’t let the biblical name and Hawaiian roots fool you, Psalm Wooching is an animal.
With injuries causing Joe Mathis and Azeem Victor to miss this game, Wooching emerges as the leader at outside linebacker to run the front seven. He’s amassed 39 total tackles, including seven for loss and a team-high six sacks. The senior assists a defense that allows 17.2 points a game, while generating 37 sacks and 19 forced fumbles. Wooching comes off a strong game against Colorado, in which he collected four tackles and a sack to earn a 41-10 victory. Washington carries Tevis Bartlett, Keishawn Bierria, Vita Veta, Elijah Qualls and Greg Gaines on its defensive front, but Wooching must set the tone on the outside with pressure.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
