The Washington Huskies are officially stepping into the Big Ten spotlight, and the Associated Press just slammed them with a No. 17 preseason ranking for 2026, making it crystal clear that Jedd Fisch’s squad ain’t no sleeper anymore. After finishing 9-4 last season, this No. 17 slot marks Fisch’s program as a true mainstay in the national conversation, with most major outlets agreeing the Huskies belong somewhere between No. 16 and No. 20. But here’s the kicker: that national ranking places our Dawgs as the de facto No. 6 team in their new conference, which is just wild.
Big Ten Gauntlet Incoming!
Look, becoming the No. 6 team in a new conference sounds okay until you see who’s ahead of us. Ohio State and Oregon are straight-up 1-2 in the entire preseason poll, not just the Big Ten, making them absolute beasts. Then there’s No. 6 Indiana, No. 14 USC (tied with BYU, mind you), and No. 16 Michigan all sitting pretty above our Huskies. Penn State (No. 18) and Iowa (No. 22) are right behind us. And guess what? Our Dawgs are gonna face FIVE of those Big Ten heavyweights! We’ve got Iowa, Indiana, and Penn State all rolling into the inimitable atmosphere of Husky Stadium. Then, we hit the road for massive showdowns against the Ducks and the Trojans. This isn’t just a schedule, it’s a statement about what it means to be in the Big Ten now. The SEC might have nine ranked teams, but the Big Ten is loaded at the top, and Washington is right in the thick of it.
The Dawgs’ Strengths and Major Headaches
So, what are we bringing to this Big Ten party? A lot, actually. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is expected to lead the charge, backed by a strong, experienced offensive line that could move mountains. On defense, coordinator Ryan Walters has something special brewing. This unit finished No. 15 in the nation in points per game in 2025, and with a deep rotation on the defensive line, an experienced group of linebackers that could be among the nation’s best, and four seasoned secondary players led by All-Big Ten honorable mention safety Alex McLaughlin, they are absolutely primed to take another step forward. You love to see it!
But let’s be real, there are some big questions looming. We lost Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston to the NFL draft, and Adam Mohammed hit the transfer portal. That means major holes at running back and wide receiver. Jedd Fisch is betting big on veteran transfer portal acquisitions like running back Jayden Limar and wide receiver Christian Moss to fill those shoes, alongside young guns like receivers Chris Lawson and Trez Davis, and running backs Brian Bonner and Quaid Carr. Can these new faces and young talent step up immediately? That’s the million-dollar question for the Emerald City’s college squad.
It’s clear the national respect is there for the Huskies, but the path ahead is brutal. We’re about to find out if this roster can truly compete with the Big Ten’s elite. Get ready, Dawg fans, because this season is going to be an absolute rollercoaster.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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