Through seven weeks of the 2025 season, Washington has proven it can win in a variety of ways – but not without testing the nerves of its fans first. The Huskies are 5-1 and remain in the contention for national ranking, yet their growing reputation for sluggish starts and playing down to their competition might be the biggest obstacle to being regarded as a true national threat.
That trend reared its head again last Friday in Seattle. Against a Rutgers team that had dropped back-to-back conference games, the Huskies stumbled early, falling behind 10-0 after the game’s first three drives and then trailing 13-10 at halftime. Washington eventually found its rhythm, outscoring the Scarlet Knights 28-6 in the second half to win 38-19, but the game felt far closer than it should have been, especially while playing at home.
The week before was even more alarming. Traveling to Maryland, Washington found itself in a 20-0 hole against a decent, but not great team led by a freshman quarterback. A late-game rally won the Huskies the game, which is certainly better than a loss, but the 24-20 final score did little to convince poll voters that the Dawgs are a dominant force worthy of national respect.
But these two examples aren’t just outliers, it’s a problem that has now plagued Washington in more than half the games it’s played. In the season opener against Colorado State, a mid-major program now sitting at 2-4, the Huskies were tied at halftime before finally pulling away in the fourth quarter. That time, the defense allowing big plays and not locking in until late was the culprit.
The same story occurred in the Apple Cup a few weeks later, where Washington’s offense was unstoppable, but the defense repeatedly allowed Washington State to hang around. Soft coverage, a lack of pressure on the quarterback, and dumbfounding penalties kept the Cougars within seven on multiple occasions into the third quarter.
A pattern is clear: the Huskies have yet to play a complete game against an FBS program (they dominated FCS UC Davis). When the offense is clicking, the defense falters. When the defense starts out solid, the offense needs time to warm up. It’s a dangerous habit, and one that could come back to haunt them this weekend in Ann Arbor.
Michigan, though not the powerhouse of years past, remains disciplined, physical, and opportunistic. The Wolverines are 5.5-point favorites, and in a hostile environment like the Big House, a slow start could spell disaster. Washington has shown it can rally when it matters most, but against Michigan, that margin for error disappears.
The question isn’t about talent or potential. It’s about consistency. And if the Huskies can’t figure out how to stop sleepwalking through first halves, their playoff dreams could fade before November even arrives.