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College Football: 5 dark horse playoff contenders

By Eric Robinson

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 07: Detail of the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, along with the helmets of the 2 competing teams, University of Alabama (left) and University of Georgia (right) on January 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 07: Detail of the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, along with the helmets of the 2 competing teams, University of Alabama (left) and University of Georgia (right) on January 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 23: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies carries the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 23, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 23: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies carries the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 23, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Washington Huskies (Last season: 10-3)

It will always be tough for Pac-12 teams to make the College Football Playoff no matter what. The Huskies however, are equipped with the necessary pieces to make a legitimate run.

It begins at quarterback in senior Jake Browning, who took a slight step back this past season in production but has thrown for 78 touchdowns the past three seasons. Leading rusher Myles Gaskin also returns after posting 1,380 yards and 24 total touchdowns in 2017.

The defense returns a number of key members to what may be the best secondary in the Pac-12. Junior safety Taylor Rapp leads the unit and is coming a season where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies rushes for a 69 yard touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Penn State won 35-28. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies rushes for a 69 yard touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Penn State won 35-28. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The season starts with a bang as the Huskies will lock horns with the Auburn Tigers in Atlanta on September 1. A significant contest in which the Huskies can utilize to polish the resume as a standout win.

This experienced ball club has an interesting set of road games in early October versus UCLA and Oregon as well as the season finale Apple Cup showdown against Washington State. But outside of that, the schedule is more than manageable.

While they may need a little help in terms of impressing the CFP committee, the Huskies are probably the best bet to have a Pac-12 team in the playoff.

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