Washington Huskies DC Steve Belichick’s defense among Big Ten’s best in yards allowed

The vast majority of Steve Belichick’s coaching experience has been in the NFL, but he doesn’t seem to be struggling much in making the adjustment to college football. The first year Washington Huskies defensive coordinator is coaching a group that certainly has no issues shutting down opposing offenses on a regular basis. 

While the Huskies have seen some ups and downs in their first year in the Big Ten and under head coach Jedd Fisch’s leadership, Fisch’s choice for a defensive coordinator has really worked out exceptionally well for Washington. Through five games, Washington has managed to establish itself as one of the stingiest defenses in the Big Ten.

That’s a pretty impressive feat even though there’s plenty of season left to be played this season. Fisch and Belichick should be proud of the fact that the Huskies are fitting right in into a conference that prides itself with ridiculously tough defenses.

After five weeks of the 2024 Washington Husky football season, the Huskies’ defense ranks as the No. 5 team in the Big Ten when it comes to yards allowed per game. 

Big Ten defensive team rankings: Washington Huskies hold No. 5 defense in Big Ten in yards allowed per game

After five weeks of play, here are the Big Ten’s best teams when it comes to limiting opponents’ total yards of offense per game:

• Ohio State Buckeyes: 196.5 yards per game
• Penn State Nittany Lions: 226.5 yards per game
• Minnesota Golden Gophers: 226.8 yards per game
• Indiana Hoosiers: 239.6 yards per game
• Washington Huskies: 249.8 yards per game

That’s pretty elite company for Belichick’s defense to be in right now. Sure, there is room for improvement, but it’s hard to be too upset with how the Huskies have played on this side of the ball. Right now, Washington’s biggest issue is the way the Huskies have struggled to get into the end zone on offense.

But the defense? The defense is good. Really good. It could conceivably give the Huskies a real chance to compete in any given game. And as the season progresses, the ability to slow opposing offenses will be pretty important for a team that wants to get to bowl eligibility. 

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