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With six games completed, the 2026 college football season has reached its midpoint, prompting Sports Illustrated to evaluate which FBS programs have fallen short of expectations. The publication concluded that nine teams qualify as midseason busts, and the University of Washington is among them.
The Huskies, who hold a 3-3 overall record and an 0-3 mark in Big Ten action, are listed fifth on the bust list. They sit behind Texas A&M (3-3, 1-3 SEC), Penn State (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), Oregon (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten), and LSU (3-2, 1-2 SEC). Washington is ranked ahead of Michigan (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten), Oklahoma (3-2, 1-1 SEC), Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC), and Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-3 SEC).
According to the SI national team, the Huskies have yet to secure a win against a power-conference opponent. The team hosted Minnesota and Iowa but never held a lead in either contest, and the once-formidable home-field advantage at Husky Stadium has vanished. The in-house analysts described the season as a "full-system failure" for Washington, which began the year ranked 17th in the Associated Press poll.
Much of the criticism has centered on quarterback Demond Williams Jr. After emerging as a late-season sensation as a freshman in 2024 and following that with a productive sophomore year, Williams nearly transferred to LSU before ultimately staying and receiving a substantial payday. However, his 2026 campaign has been rocky, culminating in a futile performance against Iowa that ended early due to a rib injury. Backup Elijah Brown performed well in relief and could prompt a lineup change, though benching Williams would signal a surrender on a significant investment.
Usually upbeat John Mills appeared somber and blank-faced on Tuesday when discussing the team's unexpected struggles. "Obviously none of us on this team thought this season would be going this way," he said. "When you put in all the offseason work and you're doing your job and what not, and you come and have back to back to back losses like this, it's very frustrating, angry. But we have to push on and that's what we're doing."
Key Analysis
The Huskies' midseason designation as a bust underscores the high expectations placed on the program after a promising 2024 season and a lucrative investment in Williams. With no conference wins and a home-field advantage that has evaporated, Washington faces an uphill battle to salvage the remainder of the schedule. The potential quarterback controversy adds another layer of uncertainty, as the coaching staff must weigh immediate performance against long-term financial commitments.