It is finally that time of year again. Husky football season is upon us, and one day from now the 25th-ranked Boys from Montlake will be running into Aloha Stadium in new uniforms and under a new coach in Chris Petersen. Playing in (arguably) the toughest division in college football, the Pac-12 North, it is fair to say that the Dawgs will need an almost immaculate regular season to find themselves playing in the conference championship. So, without further ado, here is a week-by-week preview of the 2014 Washington Huskies.
Week 1: @ Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
It'll be interesting to see how UW can operate under the leadership of backup QB Jeff Lindquist. He was announced as starter earlier this week in the absence of suspended starter Cyler Miles. This will not matter though, as Hawaii, who came last in the MWC last year, will not be able to keep up with the Huskies. Final Score: 49-13 Washington
Week 2: vs. Eastern Washington Eagles
With Cyler Miles seemingly back under center for week two, the Huskies shouldn't have a problem finding a W against their opponents from Cheney. Eastern Washington may put up a fight early, but Washington will surely pour it on in the second half and sail smoothly to a win against the FCS squad. Final score: 38-7 Washington
Week 3: vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois showed last year that they are in fact capable of hanging tough with the Huskies if they let their guard down. The Huskies surely will have learned their lesson and will play with discipline. They will feed off the home crowd and get a hold on a decent non-conference win.
Final Score: 31-17 Washington
Week 4: vs. Georgia State Panthers
Even though Georgia State went 0-12 last year, they have already gotten their first win this year in a 38-37 comeback against Abilene Christian two days ago. Georgia State just won't be able to find an answer against the Huskies on both sides of the ball, and UW will end up doing the same thing to the Panthers that they did to Idaho State last year. Final Score: 56-0 Washington
Week 5: vs. Stanford Cardinal
In one of the biggest games of the year, Washington will likely be hosting the College GameDay crew in Red Square once again this season, and also a national TV audience later that day. Last year, the Huskies came up just short of the upset at Stanford Stadium with a questionable call on what would've been another first down on a possible game-winning drive in the waning seconds. The Huskies have done nothing but outplay the Cardinal the last two years and I don't expect any different this time around. Washington will have their way with Stanford in front of the home crowd and will edge out an important conference win. Final Score: 24-21 Washington
Week 7: @ California Golden Bears
California will give the Huskies a real fight this year, and luckily Washington has a bye week following a physically-draining game against the Cardinal. The Huskies will be given a scare by the Bears and will have to come out to play. I have a feeling that Coach Pete isn't the kind of coach that will let his players let their guard down against a conference opponent, though. Final score: 28-24 Washington
Week 8: @ Oregon Ducks
This game will arguably be the Huskies toughest game of the year (assuming Oregon doesn't have an early season collapse) and the front seven will have to play their best defense if they are going to want to stop Marcus Mariota and the high-powered Oregon offense even a couple of times. The young Huskies secondary will be a deciding factor, but the Huskies' offense just won't be able to put up as many points as Oregon and the Dawgs will drop a close game.
Final Score: 45-35 Oregon
Week 9: vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
After last year's embarrassment in Tempe, the Huskies are going to be looking for some revenge on this talented South Division squad. Washington will be looking forward to this year's matchup being on the shores of Montlake, as they will not have to deal with any sweltering Arizona heat. The Huskies will be looking to the Dawg Pack and the rest of the Husky faithful for a boost. It will be interesting to see how ASU QB Taylor Kelly will fare against the UW front seven, but in the end the Huskies will have just enough to come out on top against the Sun Devils.
Week 1: @ Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
It'll be interesting to see how UW can operate under the leadership of backup QB Jeff Lindquist. He was announced as starter earlier this week in the absence of suspended starter Cyler Miles. This will not matter though, as Hawaii, who came last in the MWC last year, will not be able to keep up with the Huskies. Final Score: 49-13 Washington
Week 2: vs. Eastern Washington Eagles
With Cyler Miles seemingly back under center for week two, the Huskies shouldn't have a problem finding a W against their opponents from Cheney. Eastern Washington may put up a fight early, but Washington will surely pour it on in the second half and sail smoothly to a win against the FCS squad. Final score: 38-7 Washington
Week 3: vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois showed last year that they are in fact capable of hanging tough with the Huskies if they let their guard down. The Huskies surely will have learned their lesson and will play with discipline. They will feed off the home crowd and get a hold on a decent non-conference win.
Final Score: 31-17 Washington
Week 4: vs. Georgia State Panthers
Even though Georgia State went 0-12 last year, they have already gotten their first win this year in a 38-37 comeback against Abilene Christian two days ago. Georgia State just won't be able to find an answer against the Huskies on both sides of the ball, and UW will end up doing the same thing to the Panthers that they did to Idaho State last year. Final Score: 56-0 Washington
Week 5: vs. Stanford Cardinal
In one of the biggest games of the year, Washington will likely be hosting the College GameDay crew in Red Square once again this season, and also a national TV audience later that day. Last year, the Huskies came up just short of the upset at Stanford Stadium with a questionable call on what would've been another first down on a possible game-winning drive in the waning seconds. The Huskies have done nothing but outplay the Cardinal the last two years and I don't expect any different this time around. Washington will have their way with Stanford in front of the home crowd and will edge out an important conference win. Final Score: 24-21 Washington
Week 7: @ California Golden Bears
California will give the Huskies a real fight this year, and luckily Washington has a bye week following a physically-draining game against the Cardinal. The Huskies will be given a scare by the Bears and will have to come out to play. I have a feeling that Coach Pete isn't the kind of coach that will let his players let their guard down against a conference opponent, though. Final score: 28-24 Washington
Week 8: @ Oregon Ducks
This game will arguably be the Huskies toughest game of the year (assuming Oregon doesn't have an early season collapse) and the front seven will have to play their best defense if they are going to want to stop Marcus Mariota and the high-powered Oregon offense even a couple of times. The young Huskies secondary will be a deciding factor, but the Huskies' offense just won't be able to put up as many points as Oregon and the Dawgs will drop a close game.
Final Score: 45-35 Oregon
Week 9: vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
After last year's embarrassment in Tempe, the Huskies are going to be looking for some revenge on this talented South Division squad. Washington will be looking forward to this year's matchup being on the shores of Montlake, as they will not have to deal with any sweltering Arizona heat. The Huskies will be looking to the Dawg Pack and the rest of the Husky faithful for a boost. It will be interesting to see how ASU QB Taylor Kelly will fare against the UW front seven, but in the end the Huskies will have just enough to come out on top against the Sun Devils.
Final Score: 21-20 Washington
Week 10: @ Colorado Buffaloes
In this matchup, the Dawgs will come out firing on all cylinders, taking an advantage early and not letting go. The Buffs will prevent a total blowout, but the Huskies are going to take care of Colorado just like the Seahawks took care of Colorado's NFL franchise in the Super Bowl.
Final Score: 42-10 Washington
Week 11: vs. UCLA Bruins
The Huskies will face the tough task of facing Brett Hundley and the rest of the UCLA Bruins in Week 11. At this point in the season, UCLA will likely be fighting for a College Football Playoff spot, and it will be tough stopping them on their way there. UCLA will have a lot motivation coming in to Husky Stadium, and sadly the Huskies will have trouble finding their way against the school from Los Angeles. The Bruins will hand the Huskies their first home loss of the year. Final Score: 31-17 UCLA
Week 12: @ Arizona Wildcats
The Huskies will head down to the desert to face the Wildcats in a very underrated Pac-12 contest. In the heat, the Dawgs will have to look for a way to keep themselves hydrated, and also they might have to cut back on any up-tempo offense, if there is any. K/P Cameron Van Winkle will have an important role in the game. The Huskies will jump out to an early lead, but the Cats will mount a comeback and make a game out of it. In the end, it won't be quite enough though, as the Huskies pick up a decent W. Final Score: 27-24 Washington
Week 13: vs. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State will likely enter Week 13 sitting in fourth in the Pac-12 North. The Huskies can't let this placing in the conference deceive them, because they are a talented team stuck in one of the best divisions in the country with Oregon, Stanford, and Washington. Oregon State will want to redeem themselves after they fell to Washington 69-27 last year. The Beavers may put up a fight, but it is unlikely they will be able to keep up with Dubs, especially this year in the Dawgs' House.
Final Score: 41-28 Washington
Week 14: @ Washington State Cougars
On paper, the Huskies seem to be a better team than the Cougars. However, this is the Apple Cup, and in the Apple Cup there is always competition. Mike Leach's squad will host the Dawgs in Pullman, hoping to steal a win in the final regular season game. The Huskies need to continue to get to Connor Halliday and force a few bad decisions like they did last November. If the Huskies can do this, they will coast to a win on the east side of the Cascades. Final Score: 17-10 Washington
REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 11-2
This year, the Huskies will be competing for a Pac-12 Championship, and will hopefully surprise some people and end up in a big-name bowl. Tomorrow is the start of a new era under Coach Petersen. There's only one thing left to say: Go Dawgs.