The Washington Huskies Mid-Season Stretch Could Determine 2026 College Football Fate
It’s easy to look at the Washington Huskies 2026 football schedule and skip to the end.
While the last two games — home against defending national champion Indiana and on the road at nemesis Oregon — could determine UW’s College Football Playoff fate, the Huskies have to get there first.
Washington begins the football season with three non-conference snoozers, and ends with the types of games UW has been unable to compete in under Fisch through two seasons. The seven games in the middle are all winnable — Washington could well be favored in six of them — but Big Ten games are rarely easy.
The bottom line is Washington must go 6-1 during that stretch to have any hope at its first CFP berth of head coach Jedd Fisch’s tenure.
Defense Rules Huskies ‘Dawgs After Dark’ Spring Game
It was a beautiful night for some football, even if the football itself wasn’t always a potential pageant winner.
That’s the nature of spring football when a team is expected to have a good defense, as the Washington Huskies plan to roll out when the season begins against Washington State in the Apple Cup on Sept. 5.
With Corgi races, head coach Jedd Fisch playing emcee at times, a few guest kickers and some big plays on defense and offense, Purple got the better of Gold in Friday’s “Dawgs After Dark” spring game, 27-10 at Husky Stadium.
Most importantly, there was some actual football in Friday’s culmination of five weeks of spring football, and no apparent injuries.
‘No Ceiling’ for Huskies Sophomore Cornerback Dylan Robinson
Dylan Robinson’s first start was quite a Big Ten baptism last year.
With senior cornerback Tacario Davis sidelined by injury, it was up to the true freshman to start against No. 1 Ohio State in a sold-out Husky Stadium. It wouldn’t be accurate to call it a baptism by fire, though, because he never really got burned by the Buckeyes and their receiving corps of first-round picks.
“I knew that my plan was to come in freshman year, and everyone's dream is to play the biggest game,” said Robinson after UW’s 10th spring ball practice on Tuesday. “Ohio State was the number one in the nation at that time. So I was just really blessed and grateful to be in those shoes, and I was just trying to keep football football.”
The Montlake Report: Biggest Storylines for the Huskies Heading Into Spring Football
Looking to improve on last year's 9-4 season, the Washington Huskies will open spring football on Tuesday, March 31. What are some of the biggest storylines heading into spring ball?
We also wrap up the end of the UW women's and men's basketball seasons.
7 Questions Facing Huskies Heading into Spring Football
The Cherry blossoms emerging in the University of Washington quad are a sign of spring for most around campus. For UW football fans, however, spring will truly begin on March 31 when spring ball begins for the Huskies.
Practices for the 2026 season begin in just 10 days as Washington starts preparing for the season-opening Apple Cup on Sept. 5, still 168 days away. The Huskies will welcome 32 new players to practice, including 20 of the expected 25 Class of 2026 and 12 scholarship transfers.
What are some of the key storylines heading into spring ball?
Jedd Fisch Will Replace Departed Offensive Coordinator Jimmie Dougherty with… Jedd Fisch
During an appearance on the On3 Andy & Ari podcast on Wednesday, Washington Huskies head football coach Jedd Fisch offered some clarity about the offensive coordinator position.
The new OC will essentially be Jedd Fisch.
Washington Huskies to Make Abrupt Change at Offensive Coordinator
The Washington Huskies will have a new offensive coordinator for the 2026 season.
The UW football team and Jimmie Dougherty have parted ways, according to reports early on Tuesday, while NFL veteran offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh emerged as a potential replacement. Dougherty confirmed his departure from the Washington football program with a social media post later on Tuesday.
Analysis: Breaking Down Washington State’s 2026 Football Schedule
Washington State has officially released its 2026 football schedule, marking the first season of the rebranded Pac-12 era with seven conference opponents. In year one under head coach Kirby Moore, the Cougars will face a challenging and intriguing slate filled with the Apple Cup, Power Four opponents, and newly-minted conference matchups.
Who will the Cougs play and which games stand out as their toughest draws entering the Moore era? Starting with their biggest state rivals, there won’t be an easing in period for Wazzu.
The Montlake Report: Did Demond Williams Win Back Huskies’ Supporters After Transfer Attempt?
For the first time since his attempted transfer and ultimate change of heart, Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. met with the media, looking to put the story behind him.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe shares his thoughts on Williams' remarks and whether or not he did enough for everyone to move forward along with examining an increasingly dire situation for the Huskies' men's basketball team after a loss at Iowa.
Can Demond Williams Jr. Repair Damage Done by Brief UW Departure?
Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. announced that he’s returning to UW just two days after preparing to break his contract and enter the portal. Will the team and fans welcome him back to Montlake, and can he and coach Jedd Fisch repair the damage?
WATCH: Demond Williams Spurns Huskies, Enters Transfer Portal Despite Signing Contract
Only four days ago, Demond Williams signed a new contract to stay under center for the Huskies in 2026. Now, he’s entered the transfer portal, creating a new level of chaos in the wild west that is college football. What’s next for the program and the QB?
Washington Huskies Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to Enter Transfer Portal, Per Report
Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. will enter the transfer portal, per a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel. What will UW do to replace their sophomore, who was the Big Ten’s leader in total yards last season?
Washington Runs Away From Boise State at Final LA Bowl
The Washington Huskies pulled away from Boise State for a dominant 38-10 win at Saturday’s Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk. Which stars shined brightest in LA for UW?
WATCH: Huskies Fall Short vs. Ducks in Season Finale, Still Chasing Big Ten’s Elite
Following their second loss to a top-10 ranked Big Ten foe in a tough defeat to Oregon at home, the Huskies clearly still have a long way to go to return to upper echelon of their new league.
Huskies Come Up Short Against Playoff-Bound Ducks
The Washington Huskies hung with the No. 6 Oregon Ducks before ultimately falling 26-14. What kept UW from coming through once again in a game against a big-time Big Ten program?
Big Ten Picks: Huskies Take Shot at Sinking Ducks’ CFP Plans
The Washington Huskies will try to knock Oregon out of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. What does UW need to do to have a chance against the No. 6 Ducks, and who else will win Big Ten games this week?
Huskies Comes up Roses in Pasadena, Crush UCLA 48-14
The Washington Huskies football team picked up a rare win at the Rose Bowl over UCLA in dominant fashion on Saturday. What led to UW crushing the Bruins 48-14?
No Hangover for Huskies in 49-13 Pummeling of Purdue
The Huskies rebounded from a brutal loss at Wisconsin by pouring it on against Purdue Saturday in a 49-13 win at Husky Stadium. What went so right for UW against the Boilermakers?
WATCH: Huskies' Offense Goes Cold in Ugly 13-10 Loss to Badgers in Madison
Not coming close to resembling a Top 25 team in snowy Madison, the Huskies picked the wrong week to struggle on offense, suffering a brutal loss to the Badgers that all but ended their slim playoff hopes.
Ranked Huskies Fall Flat During 13-10 Loss at Wisconsin
The Washington Huskies entered Saturday’s game against the Wisconsin Badgers with hopes of staying alive for a College Football Playoff Berth, but it all came crashing down in a 13-10 loss. What went wrong at Camp Randall?
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