The Washington Huskies are looking to improve on their 9-4 2025 campaign in Jedd Fisch’s third season, and with plenty of young talent across the roster, they have a great chance to take a step forward in the Big Ten.
However, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), the Huskies may regress slightly during the 2026 season, as the metric projects Fisch’s team will go just 7-5 this fall. In its first ranking, Fisch’s team slotted in at No. 26, but the projection most likely largely takes into account that Washington will play five teams in the FPI top 25.
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Along with having to travel to No. 4 Oregon and No. 13 USC, the Huskies will also host No. 6 Oregon, No. 17 Penn State, and No. 25 Iowa in Seattle, which would explain the initial prediction.
Led by returning stars like quarterback Demond Williams Jr., linebackers Jacob Manu and Xe’ree Alexander, and a trio of Freshman All-Americans in offensive lineman John Mills, wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck, and safety Rylon Dillard-Allen, the Huskies have the talent to outplay the projection.
The biggest question will be if the Huskies can replace the offensive production of running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, who both heard their names called in the 2026 NFL draft. If Fisch and Williams can find some contributions from players like wide receivers Rashid Williams, Jordan Clay, and Trez Davis, and running backs Jayden Limar, Trey Cooley, and Quaid Carr, combined with what is expected to be one of the nation’s best defenses, Washington has all the pieces needed to take a step forward.
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The FPI also gave Washington a 9.4 percent chance to make the College Football Playoff, which would require getting to at least 10-2.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: ESPN FPI projects Washington football to take a step back in 2026
