AP Top 25 Rankings Reveal Brutality of Washington Football's Schedule
While the Huskies landing at No. 17 in the AP Poll was a headline in of itself, it also showed the difficult road ahead for the Huskies in 2026.
The Associated Press has unveiled its college football preseason Top 25 rankings, placing the Washington Huskies at number 17. While the fans are pleased to see their team in the top 20, the ranking exposes more than just the Huskies' standing in the voters' eyes. With nine Big Ten opponents on their 2026 schedule, five of them are preseason favorites.
Despite the grueling calendar, there is a positive aspect: three of the five opponents will be visiting the Huskies' home field at Montlake. The other two matchups will see Washington on the road, facing No. 2 Oregon and No. 14 USC.
The Big Ten presents a particularly tough schedule for the Huskies, but the team has a proven track record in handling such challenges. They have been the most dominant home team in the conference over the past 25 games, boasting a commendable record of 21 wins and just 4 losses at Husky Stadium. While the nine Big Ten games receive the majority of attention, the Huskies also have a couple of unwelcome surprises: a game against Nebraska, a team ranked No. 5, and another against Michigan State. These "trap games" could prove to be a significant test of the Huskies' mettle.
As Washington enters its third season in the Big Ten, the coaching staff led by Jedd Fisch is well-acquainted with the challenges of playing in a conference that has birthed the last three national champions. All three of those champions had to face the Huskies at Husky Stadium the following season, a testament to the Huskies' prowess on their home turf. The Huskies kick off their conference games against Minnesota on September 26, marking the beginning of an arduous, yet potentially rewarding season.
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