Week 12: Washington Huskies
Date & Time: Saturday, November 21 at TBA
Venue: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington
TV: TBA
Huskies at a Glance
Head Coach: Jedd Fisch
Entering his 3rd season as Washington’s head coach, 6th Season overall
Record at Washington: 15-11 (9-9)
Overall Record: 32-33
Last Season: 9-4 (5-4) Beat Boise State in LA Bowl
Series History vs. Indiana
Record: 1-3
Last Meeting: Indiana won 31-17 in 2024
Huskies Returning Leaders
Passing: Demond Williams (265-403, 3,711 yards, 24 TDs 10 INTs, 157 Rush Yards, 6 TDs)
Rushing: Demond Williams (150 rushes, 932 yards 10 TDs)
Receiving: Dezmon Roebuck (34 catches, 561 yards 2 TDs)
Tackles: Safety Alex McLaughlin (94 tackles, 3 TFLs, 6 Pass Breakups)
Huskies Names to Know
Demond Williams, Quarterback
Dezmon Roebuck, Wide Receiver
Jacob Manu, Linebacker
Huskies Preseason Predictions
Athlon: 6th in the Big Ten, Holiday Bowl Projection
Lindy’s: 6th in the Big Ten
Phil Steele: T-7th in the Big Ten
Sporting News: 9th in the Big Ten
SP+: 21st Nationally
Impact Newcomers for the Huskies
Christian Moss, Wide Receiver (Transfer from Kent St.)
Kodi Greene, Offensive Line (Incoming Freshman)
Xe’ree Alexander, Linebacker (Transfer from UCF)
Biggest Questions Facing the Huskies
1. Is the Demond Williams Saga Actually Over?
2. How do the Huskies Replace NFL Talent on Offense?
3. Can the Offensive Line be Better?
Huskies Program Preview
Washington will enter the 2026 season ranked 17th in the AP Poll, but comes in as a sleeper to make noise in the Big Ten. Jedd Fisch is entering his third season and coming off a nine-win campaign. However, the offseason was not without its drama
Quarterback Demond Williams entered the transfer portal and appeared headed elsewhere before Washington called out a clause in his contract to keep him in Seattle. Williams and the program appear top be on solid ground as he was one of the program’s three representatives at Big Ten Media Days.
The Huskies also have to replace NFL talents in Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston on offense while breaking in eight new projected starters on defense.
Three of Washington’s four losses came against Ohio State, at Michigan and Oregon last season. They beat everyone they were supposed to except for a road loss as Wisconsin. This year the schedule falls in Washington’s favor early. After opening the season with the Apple Cup (Washington State), the Huskies get Utah State and Eastern Washington at home before Big Ten play starts with a visit from Minnesota. An October 3rd trip to USC should be a litmus test for Washington. Visits from Iowa and Penn State sandwich road trips east to Purdue and Nebraska. The final quarter of the season features a trip to Michigan State before hosting Indiana and finishing the season at Oregon.
If Washington can get through the middle of thief schedule with one loss, they should be in the playoff bubble conversation when the Hoosiers come to town.
Offensive Preview
Demond Williams is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the Big Ten. While he is small in stature, he can do it both with his arms and as an elite running quarterback. Last season Williams threw for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. On the ground, Williams added 611 yards and six touchdowns. He did throw eight interceptions.
Behind Williams is sophomore Elijah Brown who played in eight games and threw for over 800 yards at Stanford as a freshman in 2025. The Huskies have a young, but experienced backup should things go sideways or if there is an injury with Williams.
The Huskies running back room is a work in progress, but the talent is there. Jayden Limar comes over from Oregon, where he ran for 262 yards on 46 carries, but has had past injury issues. Trey Cooley is a veteran who is at the fourth stop of his college career. He comes in from Troy, but missed the entire 2025 season due to injury and has played in just three games since the start of 2024. Behind them are a couple of youngsters. Redshirt freshman Quaid Carr got his feet wet last season and highly touted true freshman Brian Bonner joins the group and could rise up the depth chart quickly.
Sophomore wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck had a stellar freshman year as he had seven touchdowns (a freshman program record) on 42 catches. Behind Roebuck, there are a lot of question marks. Junior Rashid Williams missed 10 games last year. He made just five catches for 54 yards. Four-star freshman Jordan Clay has speed, but no experience and could be in the starting lineup. Washington brought in Christian Moss from Kent State who can add some experienced depth while another four-star freshman, Trez Davis, should make his way into the rotation.
Junior Decker DeGraaf is a solid receiving tight end and is coming off a 32-catch year in 2025. Kade Eldridge, a junior, should back him up.
The Huskies bring back three starters along the offensive line in center Landen Hatchett, left guard John Mills and right tackle Drew Azzopardi. Washington will turn to highly-touted true freshman Kodi Greene to play left tackle and redshirt freshman Champ Taulealea at right guard. Senior Geirean Hatchett can be a swing lineman off the bench.
Defensive Preview
A familiar face runs the Washington defense in former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters. After a disastrous tenure in West Lafayette, he has found his calling again heading a stout Washington defense.
Linebacker Jacob Manu is looking to return to his 2023 form when he was an All-Pac-12 selection. However, he has been limited to just 12 games over the last two seasons with the Huskies. Zaydrius Rainey-Sale returned from an ACL injury to have a solid eight games. He should be penciled in next to Manu
Outside linebacker Jacob Lane led Washington with 8.5 tackles for loss last season. On the other edge is Logan George comes over from Ohio State looking to bounce back from an injury riddled 2025.
In the middle of the defense the Huskies return junior Elinneus Davis, who made 29 total tackles last season. Ball State transfer Darian Conley will see if his MAC production translates to the Big Ten.
Washington will look to build their secondary around safety Alex McLaughlin, last season’s leading tackler. Speedster Rylon Dillard-Allen will play free safety. He played in 13 games a year ago, making 40 tackles with two coming for a loss. Rashshawn Clark plays Washington’s nickel defensive back position. He made two interceptions last year and broke up four passes.
On the outside, Washington will turn to Virginia transfer Emmanuel Karnley. The junior has good ball skills with eight pass breakups and an interception for the Cavaliers last year. Sophomore Dylan Robinson played 12 games in a reserve role and has earned the chance to see if he can live up to his skill profile.
Special Teams Preview
Washington is another program that hit the portal for experience in the kicking and punting game from Group of Six programs. Kicker Tyler Robles comes in from Texas State after hitting 21-23 field goals last year. Punter Hunter Green has a huge leg and averaged 46.9 yards per punt at San Diego State in 2025.
There are more than enough athletes to handle kickoff duties. Washington could turn to Roebuck or Rashon Clark for kick return duties and true freshman Quaid Carr could handle punt return duties.
2026 FIRST GLANCE PREVIEWS
Week Six: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Week Seven: Ohio State Buckeyes
Week Eight: Michigan Wolverines
Week Nine: Minnesota Golden Gophers
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