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Jedd Fisch, Washington Huskies see dip in ESPN FPI rankings after loss vs. Rutgers

By Ethan Lee

Sep 27, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) breaks a tackle by Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Moses Walker (2) for a touchdown during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) breaks a tackle by Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Moses Walker (2) for a touchdown during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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A loss on the road against a better than expected Big Ten team in a conference game isn’t going to spell certain doom for Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies, believe it or not. But, a loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is going to drop the Huskies a bit when it comes to the latest ESPN FPI rankings. 

The road trip to Rutgers was a great opportunity to get a nice conference win and build the Huskies’ resume. Unfortunately, mental mistakes, errors, and frustrating play calling ended up dooming Washington in Piscataway. Now, the Huskies have moved to No. 33 in the latest ESPN Football Power Index college football rankings.

Despite having a 3-2 record, Washington is still looked at as a solid team, but the Huskies aren’t projected to have a winning record this season. 

According to FPI projections, the Huskies are now forecasted to finish the regular season with a 5.7-6.3 record. That’s… not great. And it’s not what Washington Husky fans want for this season, despite the fact that this is probably a complete rebuild project for Fisch and his staff.

Washington Huskies drop slightly in latest ESPN FPI rankings after road loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Huskies are currently clinging on to a 55.9 percent chance of making it to a bowl game. There is no real meaningful percentage chance at making it to the conference championship in Washington’s first season in the Big Ten or for the Huskies to make it to the national title.

But, given that there is functionally a brand new coaching staff in Seattle and essentially half the roster was churned through from last season, expectations probably should have been tempered a bit better during the offseason.

Hindsight being 20/20 and all that jazz, you know?

At this point, Washington needs to simply find wins where it can get them. Fisch and company need to clean up the execution errors and find a way to build some positive momentum for the program. As Arizona Wildcats fans got to see, Fisch is pretty good at rebuilding, but it might take a little time. He’s in year one right now, so the Huskies may not see the fruits of all of that process this season.

Hopefully next year we’re not having to have these sorts of discussions and hopefully the Huskies will have a better shot at making it into the 12-team college football playoffs.

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