Nebraska gets Washington in a prime-time spot Saturday night in Lincoln, and the setup is about as unfriendly as it gets for the Huskies. The Cornhuskers are 5-2, playing at home, under the lights, on Halloween, with a crowd that figures to be fully invested in what could become a statement game.
The biggest question hanging over Washington is at quarterback. Demond Williams may or may not play, while Elijah Brown gave the offense a jolt in Williams’ absence.
But whoever takes the snaps will be working behind an offensive line that has taken another hit with Landen Hatchett ruled out for the rest of the year, forcing more shuffling up front. Against a Nebraska defense allowing just 15.4 points per game and leading the nation in third-down defense, that is not a small problem.
Washington’s offense has struggled even when the quarterback situation is cleaner, and the challenge gets tougher because Nebraska can lean on a defense that has already made life miserable for opponents. If Williams goes, he may not be at full strength. If Brown goes, turnover risk comes with him after his three-interception performance against Purdue.
The other side of the ball brings its own trouble for Washington. The Huskies have to find a way to slow down Anthony Colandrea and Kwazi Gilmer, and their issues against mobile quarterbacks are part of the concern. If Colandrea can extend plays and keep possessions alive, Nebraska’s offense does not need to be explosive to put pressure on Washington.
Nebraska’s own offense has had rough patches, including its last two games against Oregon and Indiana, when it scored 14 and 17 points. That opens the door for Washington to keep it close if the Cornhuskers repeat that kind of output.
But there’s still a strong sense that the home team has the edge in this one, especially with the stakes inside the building. Nebraska’s path is still alive enough that finishing the season without another loss would keep a College Football Playoff shot in play.
Prediction: Nebraska 28, Washington 20
Nebraska 34, Washington 17
In Other News...
Nebraska Let Another Late Lead Slip Away In Blackout Loss
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Nebraskas problems kept compounding in the fourth quarter, with Anthony Colandrea throwing three interceptions and one of them going back for a touchdown by Alex McLaughlin. The Blackout setting only added to the drama, but the Huskies were the team that handled the late pressure better, leaning on a backup quarterback and a receiver who kept finding space when it mattered most. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Is Suddenly Chasing A Recruiting Win Fans Will Notice
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Jimmie Haywood will announce his college commitment on Nov. 3, with Washington among the schools still in the running alongside Nevada and Loyola Marymount. For a program looking to build momentum as it prepares for the 2026-27 regular season opener against Colgate at Alaska Airlines Arena, landing a player like Haywood would be a meaningful sign that the Huskies can compete for talent in a crowded field. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Recruiting Just Took A Hit In A Critical Pipeline
Washingtons grip on a key recruiting target in the 2027 class loosened this week when four-star wide receiver Dontay Tyson Jr. reopened his recruitment and moved on from the Huskies. Tyson, a Peoria High School standout in Arizona, had been part of Washingtons early work on the trail after committing in June, a notable win in a pipeline the staff clearly wanted to protect.
His decision leaves the Huskies back at square one with a prospect ranked among the nations top 400 players, and it comes at a time when every high-end receiver commitment matters for a program trying to build momentum in the West. Tysons move to Wisconsin is another reminder that early pledges can be fragile, especially when other programs keep pushing after a player has already made an initial call. [Read more 🡒]