The Washington Huskies have been one of the most debated teams in college football this spring, with analysts placing them anywhere from No. 17 to completely off their rankings. Now, FOX Sports' RJ Young has landed right in the middle, giving Jedd Fisch's squad the No. 21 spot in his post-spring Top 25.
That ranking puts the Huskies as the last of seven Big Ten teams on Young's list, trailing defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers (No. 1), Oregon Ducks (No. 4), USC Trojans (No. 14), Michigan Wolverines (No. 15), Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 17), and Iowa Hawkeyes (No. 19). It's a solid vote of confidence for a program looking to build momentum after a 9-4 season capped by a LA Bowl victory.
But here's where it gets interesting: Washington will face five of those higher-ranked teams this fall, giving them plenty of chances to climb. Road trips to Oregon and USC loom large, while Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa all visit Seattle. For a young roster still finding its identity, those matchups will be the ultimate measuring stick.
The Huskies are entering a new era offensively, with stars Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman moving on to the NFL. That puts the spotlight squarely on junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who will need to be at his best when the stakes are highest. Head coach Jedd Fisch didn't mince words about his expectations.
"We say competitive greatness is being at your best when your best is needed," Fisch said on the Big Ten Network. "It's really something we heavily believe in, and we need D to be his best in the biggest games this year. He's an elite player—I think he has a chance to do everything and anything you could ever possibly want. So we've got to make sure he does it at that highest level in the biggest games."
If Williams can rise to the occasion, the Huskies have the pieces to surprise. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters expects his unit to be among the Big Ten's best after finishing last season ranked No. 10 nationally in rushing yards allowed (100.08 per game). That kind of defensive backbone, paired with a quarterback ready to break out, could make Washington a team no one wants to face when the leaves start turning.