Washington Seeking Bowl Eligibility for 5th Straight Season
Washington will have to rewrite history in order to hit the six-win mark on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the tenth week of the regular season, the Washington Huskies have the chance to achieve bowl eligibility for the fifth consecutive season. After a poor start to Big Ten play, the team has won two consecutive games, both away from home. They are set to host the Penn State Nittany Lions, a program they have yet to beat in their 137-year rivalry.
The two teams have met four times in history, with Penn State winning all four encounters. Since the turn of the century, there have been only two meetings, with Washington losing both: 35-28 in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl and 35-6 in 2024, the latter being the only game between the teams as Big Ten opponents. Despite beginning the season with three disappointing non-conference victories, the Huskies' offense has since struggled, losing their first three conference games and averaging just 23 points per game.
However, they have managed to secure two victories against tough road opponents, thanks to a strong defense and timely performances from quarterback Elijah Brown and starting running back Demond Williams Jr. Penn State, who started the season just one spot behind Washington in the AP Poll, has a 1-4 record in Big Ten play, led by former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell and former Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht.
The Nittany Lions' backfield boasts a strong group of running backs, including another former Cyclone, Carson Hansen. With Williams expected to return to the starting lineup, the Huskies' offense aims to continue the momentum from their wins at Nebraska. Although the win column may not reflect it, Penn State has a formidable defense, allowing over 18 points per game.
Moreover, history is not in Washington's favor, as they have only achieved 15 bowl-eligible seasons in the past 17 years, missing the six-win mark only during the 2020 COVID-shortened season and 2021, when coach Jimmy Lake went 4-8. Now, with renewed confidence, Fisch and his team will seek to build on their momentum and secure their first conference win in Seattle this season.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
