As Washington Football fans prepare for another important game this weekend, the rest of the Pac-12 is gearing up as well. Let’s review the conference contests, and how they impact the Huskies
The Washington Football team is undefeated in 2017. But so are 10 other teams in the Pac-12. In fact, the only team with a loss is Oregon State University, who suffered an opener loss against Colorado State University, but rebounded with a win last weekend against Portland State. This week, some Pac-12 teams will surely lose. At least, that is a certainty in the Stanford versus USC game.
Still, the schedule has the Washington Football team facing many of the Pac-12 teams, but other teams as well. After today’s game, we’ll be turning our attentions to those teams, week by week, and analyzing how the contest will shake out.
Pac-12 teams were undefeated last week, but…
While the Washington Football team did not wow the nation in week one, other Pac-12 teams had similar results. Since I often find myself wondering what is happening with the rest of the conference, I crafted this article in case any are in the same boat. it helps me quite a bit to know how the season will turn out for the Huskies by looking at the other teams.
But for now, let’s place those teams on our schedule out there in the periphery. In fact, we can do so at a pretty quick clip just to keep you familiar with what lies ahead around the next turn.
Schedule
Here is the complete 2017 Washington football schedule (times to be announced later this year). Let’s see how the Washington football team stacks up.
To help you gauge the difficulty of each contest, I have included our preseason projections. You can read about each game analysis if you would like more detail here.
Fri., Sept. 1: Washington at Rutgers (W 30-14) Prediction (42-21)
Sat., Sept. 9: Montana at Washington Prediction (48-17)
Sat., Sept. 16: Fresno State at Washington Prediction (51-7)
Sat., Sept. 23: Washington at Colorado Prediction (28-21)
Sat., Sept. 30: Washington at Oregon State Prediction (35-24)
Sat., Oct. 7: California at Washington Prediction (49-7)
Sat., Oct. 14: Washington at Arizona State Prediction (28-26)
Sat., Oct. 21: BYE
Sat., Oct. 28: UCLA at Washington Prediction (33-27)
Sat., Nov. 4: Oregon at Washington Prediction (56-24)
Fri., Nov. 10: Washington at Stanford Prediction (28-30)
Sat., Nov. 18: Utah at Washington Prediction (49-17)
Sat., Nov. 25: Washington State at Washington Prediction (49-28)
Fri., Dec. 1 or Sat., Dec. 2: Pac-12 Football Championship Game (ESPN)
Now let’s look at our opponent’s contests for September 9, 2017
Future September opponents
Fresno State (1-0) at Alabama (1-0)
Why why why did Fresno State agree to face Alabama and Washington on the road to open the season? Revenue. The incomes from playing these two games will help fund the schools Athletic programs. Fresno State had a huge 66-0 victory in week one, but they meet Alabama in Alabama. Don’t look for much hope for an upset in this one. But for the true football afficianado, you can use the Fresno team to guage how this Huskies team might stand up to Alabama by playing a common opponent.
UPDATE: Alabama 41 Fresno State 10
Texas State (1-0) at Colorado (1-0)
After a tough win against rival Colorado State, the Colorado Buffaloes host the Texas State Bobcats in the second of a four game home stand. The Buffaloes are a huge favorite in this game, and you can bet they are focused on tuning up for the Pac-12 rematch against the Washington Huskies. Texas State is outmanned and outgunned by a huge margin in this contest.
UPDATE: Colorado 37 Texas State 3
Minnesota (1-0) at Oregon State (1-1)
This game sets up nearly evenly matched opponents. Perhaps the deciding factor is the fact that Oregon State has home field advantage. While Minnesota has a much stronger defense, Oregon State has the superior offense. This game could very likely turn out to be a contest of immovable object versus irresistable force. Keep an eye on this score, as this could be exciting to the final moments of the game.
Future October opponents
After a full September, the month of October finds the Huskies getting the bye week amidst solid Pac-12 games.
Weber State (1-0) at California (1-0)
The Weber State Wildcats face the California Golden Bears. While both are coming off impressive victories, there is no debate among the experts who see this as a true California runaway game. But there is some chance of a better contest. Weber State has a huge stable of running backs, involving seven players in scoring rushing touchdowns in week one. Nothing equalizes a game better than the underdog with a superior running game. If Weber State can control the clock, this will be a contest. Otherwise, it’s all California.
UPDATE: California 33 Weber State 20
San Diego State University (1-0) at Arizona State(1-0)
While many have weighed in favor of the Arizona State Sun Devils in this one, I see this game as much more evenly matched. The true advantage of ASU in early home games is time zone and the heat, neither of which will have much impact on the visiting Aztecs. And while the Sun Devils are in a more challenging conference, the Aztecs match up quite favorable against them. Arizona State struggled against New Mexico State. I am calling this one as an upset. SDSU will win.
Hawaii (2-0) at UCLA (1-0)
UCLA impressed much of the nation with a 34 point comeback to snatch a win from the visiting Texas A&M Aggies. The game put Josh Rosen on track for the Heisman discussion with that gutsy play. Were this game in Hawaii, I would feel differently. But there is too much UCLA emotion to see this game ending any other way than a UCLA decisive victory.
UPDATE: UCLA 56 Hawaii 23
Future November opponents
By the time November rolls in, the teams will have a good sense of who the true national powers are, and who needs to make drastic changes to land a bowl invitation.
Nebraska (1-0) at Oregon (1-0)
There was a time when this may have been a contest between two top ten teams. That is not the case today, as neither team has been able to crack the national rankings. This contest does favor Oregon, as Nebraska is on the road and has not been a powerhouse when away from their own stadium. Add the wildfire effect to air quality, and the Cornhuskers will have plenty of distractions and excuses for showing up soft in this one. The Oregon Ducks have all the advantage, and win handily.
UPDATE: Oregon 42 Nebraska 35
Stanford (1-0) at USC (1-0)
Despite the national hoopla over the USC Trojans being the best Pac-12 team, it truly never showed in their week one contest. The USC Trojans were in a dead heat in their season opener against Western Michigan until a fourth quarter rally sealed the win. In that contest, superstar Sam Darnold threw for no touchdowns and two interceptions.
You can bet the Stanford Cardinals are licking their chops to get USC this week. No Pac-12 team enjoys the national spotlight on rookies who have yet to prove themselves. Now, with Stanford already positioned as a dark horse for Pac-12 success, they have a chance to drive a nail in the coffin of the Trojans.
If Standford wins, that sets up the contest against the Huskies. If USC wins, that likely means the Huskies must win the Pac-12 North to even have a chance of facing the Trojans. I think the USC defense is suspect. I go Stanford in this one.
Late season opponents
Utah (1-0) at BYU (1-1)
The Utah Utes face the Brigham Young Cougars in a rivaly matchup in the state of Utah. Despite being the visiting team, the Utes are slight favored in this one, but plenty are calling for the upset. If it were all about the passing game, I could see BYU winning. But the Utah Utes have a monstrous offensive line, which will open gaping holes for their running backs. Rushing offense trumps all. Utah wins.
Boise State (1-0) at Washington State (1-0)
The Boise State Broncos invade Pullman, Washington to take on the Washington State Cougars. Last season, the Cougars lost an early contest to the Broncos, so you can bet this will be a game where Washington State makes a statement. While last year’s contest featured WSU quarterback Luke Falk falling short on a late-in-the-game rally. This season, Falk needs just over 100 yards passing to set a school record. That record stands at 11,304 yards and is held by Connor Halliday set in 2014.
Never too early to prepare for the future
That’s it folks. While this week has been focused on the future, in the next week or two, we’ll turn the lens to the past as well. The valuation of how good this Washington team is not based solely on who they WILL play, but who they DID play as well.
Next: How to Watch Washington Football as Huskies host Montana Grizzlies
Some games are underway. Other games have yet to be played. While the article is delayed somewhat, the game analysis has been awaiting publication for several days.
Enjoy your football!