Attention of the Nation: What lies ahead for Washington football

Washington football’s sights are on bigger goals after starting 7-0.

Two Saturdays ago, against #8 Oregon, the Washington Huskies secured a monumental 36-33 victory. This win not only marks one of their biggest triumphs this season but also stands as one of the greatest wins in the history of the Washington football program. Although it’s challenging to come down from such a high, the team must now focus on what lies ahead.

While it may seem like the season is already a success after this significant win, making the Huskies bowl-eligible at the midpoint, they are determined to secure a spot in one of the most prestigious bowls. However, there is still a long way to go, and the job is far from done.

The pressure on the Huskies was already immense, but now, as the newly ranked #5 team in the country with Heisman Trophy favorite Michael Penix Jr. leading the charge, the margin for error has become even smaller. Success brings added pressure, and the team must perform consistently each week, knowing that every opponent will give their best effort.

As you can see when the Huskies faced Arizona State—a team with a 1-6 record this year—the Huskies struggled for a majority of the game, and that high-powered offense that we grew so accustomed to was nonexistent. The defense was the star and they magically squeaked out a 15-7 Victory.

Following that too-close-for-comfort win versus ASU, they will travel to Palo Alto to face the 2-5 Stanford Cardinal. This game should be relatively straightforward, setting the stage for the real challenges that lie ahead.

The true test for the Huskies begins with three consecutive matchups against top 25 teams. First, they travel to face #24 USC and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Then, #13 Utah comes to Seattle, determined to disrupt the Huskies’ season with their formidable defense. Finally, the Huskies will visit Corvallis to take on the underrated and #11 Oregon State team.

And of course, the Apple Cup against Washington State awaits—a rivalry game where they’ll face the underrated quarterback, Cam Ward.

Washington football’s fate for the season rests on how they respond after such a monumental win. With the wake-up call versus the Sun Devils, they need to get back on track as soon as possible. They are no longer flying under the radar; they have the attention of the nation. But with Head Coach Kalen DeBoer keeping the players with the right mindset, focus, and preparation, they can build on this historic victory and continue to push for success.

The road ahead is far from easy, but this Washington football team is special and well-equipped to face the challenges. Staying humble and approaching every game with the same intensity and energy as the last win will be crucial. If they maintain their determination, there’s no reason why the Huskies shouldn’t be in the running for the National Title at the end of the season.