Washington Football survives Rutgers to win 30-14

Expectations were predictable

The Washington Huskies traveled a long way for this win. And that means three time zones, unfamiliar lodgings, and huge unrealistic beliefs the team could operate where they left off last season.

But if you were wise, you knew this game would start close. Check out the stories leading up to this game:

Fri., Sept. 1: Washington at Rutgers
2017 Washington Football opener Huskies at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Washington Football hopes to get into a winning rut.
Scouting Washington Football opponent: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Washington Football opener, the Azeem Victor suspense is killing me

Test of resilience

The home opener was not a test of dominance, but resilience. This was not about the beating the Huskies would unload on the Scarlett Knights. If you focused on that, you missed the value of this game.

This was a game about leadership. This is a new team, with a vacuum of confidence. This was a test of heart, of perseverance. This was a game which, in my mind, defines whether the Huskies can take a body blow and keep on fighting.

Many believe this lowers the potential of the Washington Huskies. In my mind, this game performance raises my opinion of the team.