The unknowns about this Washington football team remain present. There are so many different pieces coming together. Young and old, veteran and inexperienced. That combination brings both intrigue and question to the season ahead. Looking at Washington’s schedule, it’s no easy introduction to the Big Ten Conference. There are tough road games and a home schedule featuring the defending national champions. We break the Washington football schedule into categories to prepare for the upcoming season of new opponents.
This categorization is prefaced by stating that no game is a lock one way or the other. Winning college football games takes four quarters, and either side can come out on top on any given Saturday in any matchup.
The “Winnable” Games
When you start to separate Washington’s opponents, four games on the schedule stand out as favorable. Weber State and Eastern Michigan are slated back-to-back to open the season. Weber State is just outside the top 25 FCS preseason rankings at 26th. Eastern Michigan was a bowl team a year ago. But when you look at the caliber of players on the field, Washington matches up well. The Huskies have better size and athleticism on both sides of the ball and should control these games.
The other two in this category are conference opponents. Northwestern looks like a matchup where Washington could have the upper hand. The Wildcats won eight games last season. But a versatile quarterback, a +13 turnover margin, and six one-score victories were key factors. This year, Northwestern lost its quarterback to the transfer portal. Its offensive line is still a question after allowing the third-most sacks in the Power Four a year ago. Ultimately, Washington’s defense will probably tip the scales in this matchup.
The Huskies host UCLA in November. By this point in the season, Washington will have established its identity. Whether that be a defensive team, or one that stands out offensively remains to be seen. But the players will have 10 games under their belts. On the other side, UCLA will have traveled about 20,000 miles for road games by the time the Bruins board their flight to Seattle. UCLA lacks true difference-makers in the trenches and loses a lot of production on defense. Washington stacks up favorably against the Bruins in a transition year.
Matchup Opponents
The next category of opponents is what you can consider “matchup opponents.” These are games where the level of talent will be comparable on both sides of the field. Starting with two in the Big Ten – Rutgers, and Indiana. Indiana is breaking in a new defensive line which is favorable for a newly assembled Husky offensive front. But the Hoosiers will put pressure on the Washington defense under Curt Cignetti. Rutgers is going to have a top-third defense in the conference this season. This one might be determined by how well Washington defends the run against Kyle Monangai’s physical attack.
The in-state rivalry game is a “matchup” game, no matter the perceived level of talent discrepancy. Washington probably has the advantage over Washington State at most of the skill positions on offense. But The Cougars’ offensive line returns more experience than the Huskies. John Mateer is a dual-threat quarterback. With an experienced offensive line, that threat can pressure even the soundest defenses. The Apple Cup is certainly not a game to look past if you’re the Huskies.
Washington as Underdogs
The remaining five games on this schedule are where Washington will likely be viewed as underdogs. The road games here are daunting. It starts with a mid-October trip to Iowa. The Hawkeye defense is shaping up to be the most complete unit in Phil Parker’s 12-year tenure as defensive coordinator. Then, a cross-country flight to Happy Valley in November for Penn State’s annual White Out. This time it’s Tom Allen’s defense on the other side, which also looks like one of the nation’s best. And finally, a Rivalry Weekend game in Eugene. Oregon is a preseason favorite to win the league and compete for a national title. A formidable cap to the regular season to say the least.
The Huskies also host the defending national champions in the first week of October. Michigan might have new personnel roaming the sidelines and a new quarterback under center. But the identity will be the same. The Wolverine defense under Wink Martindale could be better than last year’s. Jesse Minter ran Martindale’s system in 2023, and key players return including Mason Graham and Will Johnson. Washington’s defense will be tested by the physicality of Michigan’s run game which might also feature a dual-threat quarterback.
Without having seen a snap from this Washington team, it’s not unfair to say that USC could be a road favorite inside Husky Stadium. Regardless of the Trojans’ personnel, that’s a team that will score a lot of points. But both teams have their share of questions. A suspect offensive line at USC could allow Washington to find an advantage. But the Huskies will have to keep up with Lincoln Riley’s offense which has averaged 43 points per game since he became a head coach in 2017.
What Does All This Mean?
When you start to pencil in the Washington football schedule for 2024, you look at each one of these categories. Washington should be victorious in the four “winnable” games if it takes care of business. Against the “matchup opponents,” you figure the Huskies should get at least one, maybe two. Though none of the three mentioned are true home games.
Other than USC, Washington figures to be out-matched in the trenches in its games as underdogs. Penn State, Iowa, Michigan, and Oregon have more physicality at the lines of scrimmage. It might be a reality check for many as conference play begins. The Huskies have built a respectable offensive line but they lack difference-making size at this point. The projected offensive linemen from the five teams in this category are all listed at 305 pounds or greater – other than Iowa’s center. Washington’s projected group only averages 305 pounds. Two are listed under the 300-pound threshold.
But the Husky players have meshed in a short time. Washington has prolific football minds on the sidelines and added an infusion of talent over the offseason. Don’t look past the Huskies to steal a big one this season.
Predicting Washington’s Record
Altogether, a 6-6 year for Washington should be considered a solid year. But 7-5 isn’t out of reach. On January 12th, the state of the program was in disarray, to say the least. One of college football’s winningest coaching staffs over the past two years was gone. Players left in all directions, and recruiting classes fell apart. To flash forward nine months, and be predicting a six or seven-win season is a tremendous change of direction.
