The Husky Haul
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Very early ESPN Analytics prediction gives Washington great chance in 1st Big Ten conference game

By Ethan Lee

Aug 31, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Miami (Oh) Redhawks linebacker Corban Hondru (12) chases Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Mike Wright (5) during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Miami (Oh) Redhawks linebacker Corban Hondru (12) chases Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Mike Wright (5) during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies are setting their sights on what they hope can be a solid season in Seattle even with the move from the Pac-12 and into the Big Ten. There’s certainly a chance Washington can surprise some folks this year, even when considering all of the things that have changed within this calendar year.

One thing that would certainly help make this season a solid one would be to get off to a strong start in conference play. And that would require a win against a Big Ten team at home. Right now, that certainly seems doable for Fisch and his Huskies. 

Washington is opening the season up with the Weber State Wildcats in week one, but in a few weeks, the Huskies will get the chance to meet up with the Northwestern Wildcats. And it’s those latter Wildcats that appear a bit more interesting. 

Weber State can’t be ignored, but this should be an easy win. And right now, it seems like the Huskies have a great shot at beating Northwestern as well. According to ESPN Analytics Matchup Predictor, Fisch and the Huskies will have a great shot at getting a win over Northwestern.

Washington Huskies given great chances to beat Northwestern Wildcats to start Big Ten play ahead of week 1

Right now, the matchup predictor is giving Washington a 72.2 percent chance of defeating the Northwestern Wildcats when they make the trip from Chicago to the West Coast to play at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

I’ll certainly take those chances and be thrilled, to be completely honest. 

While Husky fans have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about this season, it’d be great to get another as the season continues on. And beating Northwestern to start conference play? That would do it. It wouldn’t be the most impressive win ever, but it would certainly be nice to get.

That said, it would be somewhat close to disastrous if Washington lost that game. That's a game that would really alter the season in a significant way if it wasn't won.

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