Washington will head into Big Ten play without a spot in the Associated Press Top 25, but the Huskies are still very much on the radar.
In Sunday’s latest poll, Washington stayed on the outside for the second straight week, though it led all unranked teams with 107 votes. Kentucky was the next closest non-Top 25 team.
That’s a sharp turn from where the Huskies opened the year. Washington began the season at No. 17, then slid to No. 19 after a 24-10 win against Washington State in Week 1. The Huskies dropped out entirely after a 16-14 win against Utah State in Week 2.
The rest of the Big Ten’s early-season picture was much brighter. Eight conference teams went through nonconference play at 3-0 or better, and seven of them showed up in the AP rankings.
Indiana came in at No. 5, followed by Southern California at No. 12, Penn State at No.
13, Iowa at No. 17, Michigan at No. 18 and Oregon at No.
Washington now gets its first chance to climb back into the poll with the start of league play. The Huskies open against Minnesota at 8 p.m. PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium in Seattle, and Washington will be favored.
That’s just the beginning of a demanding stretch. After Minnesota, Washington travels to Los Angeles to face No.
12 USC on Oct. 3, then returns home for No. 17 Iowa at 6 p.m.
PT on Oct. 9.
And the ranked opponents don’t stop there. The Huskies will host No.
13 Penn State at a to-be-determined time Nov. 7, welcome No. 5 Indiana at a to-be-determined time Nov. 21 and close the regular season on the road against No.
20 Oregon on Nov. 28 in Eugene, Ore.
In Other News...
Washington Looked Sharp In One Win That Still Raised Two Concerns
Washingtons non-conference win over an FCS opponent gave the Huskies plenty to like on film. They piled up 546 total yards and averaged 8.8 yards per play, with Demond Williams looking poised in command of the offense, showing good anticipation and letting the receivers and tight ends do much of the damage. The passing game produced several touchdowns and explosive plays, while the defense did its part by limiting the opponents scoring and yardage with solid work up front and in coverage.
Even with the comfortable final result, the performance was not spotless. The rushing attack was less efficient than the rest of the night, which left some balance questions for a team trying to sharpen its offense before tougher tests arrive. There were also signs that discipline and protection will need cleaning up, leaving Washington with a win that looked convincing on the surface but still offered a few reminders of what has to improve. [Read more 🡒]
Washington May Get A Key Defensive Boost At Crucial Time
Washingtons defense has managed to hold up despite being shorthanded, with other players stepping in and keeping the unit steady through the absence of a couple of key pieces. Now the Huskies are set to get a notable lift for their next matchup with Minnesota, as fourth-year defensive tackle Elinneus Davis is expected to be back after sitting out with a calf injury.
The same cant yet be said for cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, whose status remains up in the air after a soft tissue injury. For a defense that has already shown it can function without him, the question now is whether the Huskies can get one important reinforcement back while waiting to see if another arrives in time for a crucial stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Opens Big Ten Play With More On The Line Than Usual
Washingtons first Big Ten game at Husky Stadium brings a little more weight than a typical conference opener, and not just because the league switch has changed the stakes for the program. Minnesota comes in as a familiar but infrequent opponent, with the schools having crossed paths 17 times over the years, and the meeting adds another layer to a matchup that already carries some historical texture for both sides.
Jedd Fisch has made clear he respects what P.J. Fleck has built in Minneapolis, pointing to the Gophers as a well-coached group that consistently does the little things right. For Washington, that means the opener is about more than settling into a new conference routine, with an old series edge and a fresh Big Ten chapter both quietly hanging over the night. [Read more 🡒]