9:00 a.m.: Iowa Hawkeyes @ No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones
There aren’t many compelling games involving Washington’s 2025 opponents in the early window. The morning’s most interesting contest will likely be this year’s battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy, which Iowa and Iowa State have competed for since 1977.
The hosting Cyclones kicked off the 2025 college football season with a 24-21 upset victory over No. 17 Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland before dominating FCS powerhouse South Dakota 55-7 in Week 1. It’s been a good start to the season for redshirt junior Rocco Becht (33/48, 458 yards, 5 TDs through two games), and the Cyclones’ running attack already has four backs with double-digit carries.
Meanwhile, former South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski struggled in his FBS debut for Iowa. The redshirt senior finished 8/15 for 44 yards and a touchdown. However, the Hawkeyes finished with a combined 310 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, which was enough to beat the Albany Great Danes by a score of 34-7.
These in-state rivals have split the last four contests at two apiece, with the away team winning all four. It’ll be a tall order for the visiting Hawkeyes to bring that streak to five, but anything is possible in a rivalry game. Though Washington won’t meet Iowa in conference play this season, this game should be worth a watch.
12:30 p.m.: No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini @ Duke Blue Devils
The nation’s No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes play at 12:30, but there may not be much to learn from their clash with FCS afterthoughts Grambling State. Huskies fans should be more interested in how the No. 11-ranked Fighting Illini look against the Blue Devils.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer got his redshirt senior season off to a solid start last week, going 17/21 through the air for 217 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-3 victory over Western Illinois. The Fighting Illini were also dominant on the ground, as Aidan Laughery (nine carries, 109 yards, two touchdowns), Kaden Feagin (13 carries, 77 yards, one touchdown) and Ca’Lil Valentine (nine carries, 51 yards) all made impacts.
Last week also saw Duke quarterback Darian Mensah put on a show in a 45-17 victory over Elon. The redshirt sophomore and former Tulane transfer completed 27 of 34 pass attempts to nine different receivers, finishing with 389 passing yards and three touchdowns. Duke’s combined rushing attack (25 carries for 159 yards) wasn’t as potent as Illinois’, but the Blue Devils were able to convert two rushing touchdowns.
Fans are right to expect a potential quarterback duel, but both teams can run the ball, too. Washington fans should watch Illinois closely, as the Fighting Illini will come to Montlake in Week 9.
4:30 p.m.: No. 15 Michigan Wolverines @ No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners
This is the most interesting game of the week, and it’s not particularly close. Week 2’s only matchup of ranked teams will see the Wolverines and Sooners compete in a battle of big-name quarterbacks with rushing ability.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, the unanimous No. 1 overall recruit in last year’s high school class, had a solid debut outing against New Mexico. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound true freshman finished 21/31 for 251 yards and a touchdown on his way to a 34-17 win.
Despite his dual-threat ability, Underwood was limited on the ground, finishing with -5 yards as a result of two sacks. Thankfully for the Wolverines, running back Justice Haynes was dominant, taking 16 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns.
The Sooners weren’t as effective on the ground, taking a combined 32 carries for just 103 yards. Though fleet-footed quarterback John Mateer was limited to an extent on the ground (seven carries for 24 yards and a touchdown), he broke free through the air. The former Washington State Cougar completed 30 of 37 pass attempts for 392 yards and three touchdowns, helping Oklahoma to defeat Illinois State 35-3 in Norman.
Though the day was a largely success for the Heisman candidate, Mateer did throw an interception in the third quarter, which led to Illinois State’s only score of the game. He’ll want to limit such mistakes against a Wolverines team which intercepted three passes in Week 1.
Washington will visit Michigan in Week 8 for one of the season’s biggest tests, which makes this game an important watch for Huskies fans. Huskies fans may also be interested in watching Mateer, whose 2024 Cougars beat the Huskies 24-19 in Seattle last September. And speaking of Washington State…
7:15 p.m.: San Diego State Aztecs @ Washington State Cougars
There are no rankings or Big Ten foes involved in this matchup, but Huskies fans should watch the first 45 minutes anyway. Their next opponents and bitter rivals, the Washington State Cougars, will play host to the visiting Aztecs, who next year will join the Cougars in a reformed Pac-12.
Week 1 saw the Cougars defeat FCS opponents Idaho 13-10 via a last-minute field goal. Though redshirt sophomore quarterback Jaxon Potter had a solid outing (23/30 for 208 yards and a touchdown), Washington State’s rushing attack mustered just three combined yards on 22 carries.
On the other hand, San Diego State dominated Stony Brook, winning 42-0 by way of a dominant ground game. Redshirt junior running back Lucky Sutton took 23 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns, while six other rushers picked up another 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Neither of these teams is a powerhouse, but Washington fans should be keeping an eye on the Cougars. Washington State has won two of the last four Apple Cup clashes, and UW head coach Jedd Fisch is still looking for his first victory against the crimson and gray. He’ll get his chance soon, when the Huskies visit the Cougars in Week 4.