Washington’s 24-10 win over Washington State in the 118th Apple Cup was enough to start the season 1-0, but it wasn’t enough to hold steady in the Associated Press Top 25.
The Huskies slipped two places in Tuesday’s AP poll, dropping from No. 17 in the preseason rankings to No. 19.
Even with a sold-out crowd of more than 70,000 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington’s performance left room for concern inside the program. The Huskies scored only 10 points through three quarters, and the 12 penalties for 130 yards were a major source of frustration, with players and coaches feeling the team gave away too much.
The AP voters saw it the same way.
Washington was passed by Penn State, SMU and Tennessee in the latest rankings. Penn State moved from No. 18 to No.
16, SMU jumped from No. 19 to No. 17, and Tennessee climbed from No. 20 to No. 18.
Within the Big Ten, Washington sits sixth in the poll. The teams ahead of the Huskies are Ohio State at No.
1, Indiana at No. 5, Oregon at No.
6, Southern California at No. 14 and Penn State.
The good news for Washington is that there’s plenty of time to climb back. The Huskies host Utah State at 12:30 p.m.
PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium. Utah State comes in off a 29-17 loss to FCS opponent Idaho State on Sept.
Washington then closes nonconference play against another FCS team, Eastern Washington, at 4:15 p.m. PT on Sept. 19 at Husky Stadium.
If the Huskies handle both games the way they’re expected to, they should be in strong shape before the Big Ten schedule begins. Washington opens conference play at a to-be-determined time on Sept. 26 at Husky Stadium against the Golden Gophers, then faces a tougher stretch with back-to-back games against ranked Big Ten opponents.
The Huskies travel to USC on Oct. 3 and return home to face No. 21 Iowa at 6 p.m.
PT on Oct. 9.
In Other News...
Washingtons Offensive Line Suddenly Faces Pressure Heading Into Week 2
The offensive line was one of the quieter reasons Washington came away with a 24-10 win over Washington State, but it was not a clean outing by any means. Offensive line coach Michael Switzer said the group was below standard in its physical play and got hit with penalties, even though the unit settled in as the game went along. Three first-time starters were part of the mix, a reminder that this is still a work in progress as the Huskies try to sort out a front that has to stabilize quickly.
That makes the next step against Utah State worth watching closely, especially with Washington planning to keep rotating players at right guard. The staff wants more help up front for the running backs, and that need becomes even more important with injuries affecting the backfield. For a line trying to grow up on the fly, Week 2 is less about looking polished and more about proving the improvements from last Saturday can carry over when the pressure shifts again. [Read more 🡒]
Washington's Penalty Problem Is Putting Ryan Walters On The Spot
The Apple Cup left Washington with more than just a rivalry result to sort through. The Huskies were flagged repeatedly in the game, and the self-inflicted damage was especially glaring on defense, where the discipline issues helped turn a tight contest into a longer afternoon of frustration.
Ryan Walters called those mistakes hot stove moments, the kind that sting enough to teach a lesson if the team handles them the right way. As Washington turns to Utah State, Walters is also drawing on his own background against the Aggies offensive staff, another reminder that the next test is coming quickly for a team still trying to clean up its edge. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Heads Home Facing Early Pressure After Apple Cup Warning Signs
Washington got the Apple Cup win it wanted, 24-10 over Washington State, but the mood after the game was hardly all celebration. Demond Williams Jr. led the offense, and Jedd Fisch had reason to appreciate the result, yet he also pointed to missed chances and the wear and tear that came with the afternoon as the Huskies headed back home.
The bigger concern is the injury pileup around the backfield, where Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar were both hurt in the win and now leave the depth chart looking thinner. Washington will have to sort through those issues quickly with Utah State coming in, even as the Aggies bring their own uncertainty after quarterback McCae Hillstead was hurt in a loss to Idaho State and his availability for Saturday remains unclear. [Read more 🡒]