The Washington Huskies are looking to build on a 9‑4 record from the 2025 campaign, a season that marked head coach Jedd Fisch’s third year at the helm.
Early projections from ESPN’s Football Power Index, however, paint a more modest picture for the upcoming year, forecasting a 7‑5 finish and placing the team at No. 26 in the initial FPI rankings.
A Tough Schedule Looms
The Huskies will face five opponents that appear in the FPI top‑25, including a showdown with No. 4 Oregon and a clash against No. 13 USC, adding extra pressure to an already demanding slate.
Returning talent gives the program reason for optimism. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is set to anchor the offense, while linebackers Jacob Manu and Xe’ree Alexander provide depth on defense. Freshmen All‑Americans John Mills, Dezmen Roebuck and Rylon Dillard‑Allen are expected to make immediate impacts.
The team must replace the offensive output of running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, both of whom were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. In their stead, wide receivers Rashid Williams, Jordan Clay and Trez Davis, along with running backs Jayden Limar, Trey Cooley and Quaid Carr, are slated to receive increased workloads.
Despite the projected dip in wins, the Huskies retain a 9.4 percent chance of securing a College Football Playoff berth, a figure that typically requires a 10‑2 record. Achieving that mark will hinge on capitalizing against lower‑ranked foes and pulling off upsets in key matchups.
If the Huskies can blend experienced leadership with the burst of youthful talent, the season could unfold in a way that exceeds the conservative FPI outlook, potentially turning a 7‑5 forecast into a playoff‑contending campaign.