3. Transfer portal influence

Just as Fisch has done a good job of recruiting immediate contributors out of high school, he has also done a good job of finding production from the transfer portal -- many of whom are diamonds in the rough.
In Fisch's first season with Washington, he had the advantage of bringing along many of the impact players he had while he coached at Arizona, such as star running back Jonah Coleman. This season, Fisch had to take a more traditional approach.
Eight of the 22 current Huskies starters on offense and defense arrived to Montlake via the most-recent transfer portal -- nine if you include wide receiver Omari Evans, who technically isn't a starter but still gets regular playing time. Star cornerback Tacario Davis, linebacker Jacob Manu, and defensive tackle Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei all came from Arizona, but the rest arrived from entirely different programs.
Safety Alex McLaughlin was rated just a three-star transfer from FCS Northern Arizona, but has delivered as one of Washington's best defensive players. He leads the team with 42 tackles and also has two interceptions -- one of which he returned for a touchdown in the Apple Cup.
Left tackle Carver Willis, a four-star transfer from Kansas State, has the highest PFF grade on Washington's O-line (81), while right guard Geirean Hatchett has also made a steady impact after transferring back to UW from Oklahoma to join his brother Landen.
Beyond the immediate impact these transfers have made, their success helps set a standard for the future. It sends a clear message across the college football landscape that Washington is not just a place to play, but a place to elevate your game. For Fisch and his staff, that reputation could become one of their strongest recruiting tools moving forward.
4. Finding footing in the Big Ten
Washington's decision to leave the Pac-12 along with Oregon, UCLA, and USC was a controversial one that had plenty of upsides and downsides. After spending 109 years of comfort playing against fellow West Coast programs, the Huskies took a leap of faith to the Big Ten where cross-country travel to play against better competition became a norm.
It didn't exactly look pretty in year one. 2024 Washington went 4-5 in Big Ten play and didn't win a single game on the road. A home victory against No. 10 Michigan was the highlight, but an embarrassing road loss to Rutgers, a defeat to the up-and-coming Indiana Hoosiers on College GameDay, a 35-6 slaughtering by Penn State in Happy Valley, and a humiliation to rival Oregon were lowlights.
This time around, the performances have looked better against Big Ten foes. It started with a disappointing loss to Ohio State at home, but the 24-6 final score proved that the Huskies played the college football powerhouse a lot tougher than other teams have this season. But Washington followed that up with a gutsy comeback win over Maryland, its first Big Ten road win, and then got revenge against Rutgers with a dominant second-half display.
The remaining Big Ten schedule for the Dawgs should be favorable enough to earn them a positive record in conference play, and they're already one win away from a bowl game berth, as well. Wins and losses aside, the Huskies have garnered plenty of praise from national media despite still being unranked. A strong showing against Michigan tomorrow in the Big House could do even more to solidify that respect, giving Washington a chance to further prove it belongs in the Big Ten.