How difficult was the first season in the Big Ten for the Washington Huskies? The US LBM Coaches Poll perfectly encapsulates the schedule coach Jedd Fisch’s team has had to manage in its new conference.
The Huskies have had to face two members of the top ten, the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers, both on the road, who have a combined record of 20-2. The lone loss for both teams has also come at the hands of the same team, the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.
But Washington’s tough schedule isn’t over just yet, as the Huskies will have to face a daunting opponent, the nation’s only remaining undefeated team, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
Coach Dan Lanning’s team narrowly escaped an upset loss to the Wisconsin Badgers on the road in its last game, while the arch-rivals both received a bye in Week 13 to prepare for the regular season finale.
Here’s what the US LBM Coaches Poll looks like after Week 13.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Ducks | 11-0 | 1,375 (55) |
| 2 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 10-1 | 1,318 |
| 3 | Texas Longhorns | 10-1 | 1,267 |
| 4 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 10-1 | 1,175 |
| 5 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 10-1 | 1,150 |
| 6 | Georgia Bulldogs | 9-2 | 1,103 |
| 7 | Miami Hurricanes | 10-1 | 1,023 |
| 8 | Tennessee Volunteers | 9-2 | 972 |
| 9 | SMU Mustangs | 10-1 | 917 |
| 10 | Indiana Hoosiers | 10-1 | 867 |
| 11 | Boise State Broncos | 10-1 | 838 |
| 12 | Clemson Tigers | 9-2 | 780 |
| 13 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 8-3 | 621 |
| 14 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 8-3 | 596 |
| 15 | Arizona State Sun Devils | 9-2 | 592 |
| 16 | Ole Miss Rebels | 8-3 | 569 |
| 17 | Iowa State Cyclones | 9-2 | 473 |
| 18 | Tulane Green Wave | 9-2 | 434 |
| 19 | Texas A&M Aggies | 8-3 | 357 |
| 20 | BYU Cougars | 9-2 | 329 |
| 21 | UNLV Rebels | 9-2 | 205 |
| 22 | Army Black Knights | 9-1 | 165 |
| 23 | Memphis Tigers | 9-2 | 151 |
| 24 | Missouri Tigers | 8-3 | 148 |
| 25 | Illinois Fighting Illini | 8-3 | 132 |