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As the University of Washington football team opened its fall camp, head coach Jedd Fisch addressed reporters from the podium, noting that his offseason speaking tour had kept him busy and that he was eager to get back to coaching. He then issued an unusual request to the assembled media: 'Hopefully you guys can write about what happens on the field rather than speculation.'
However, the preseason chatter is far from over. Three recent rankings have placed the Huskies in the national spotlight. The Coaches Poll slots UW at No. 19, while two football podcast polls have them at No. 13 and No. 18. Given the limited attention the program has received since its 2023 College Football Playoff championship game appearance and the subsequent roster overhaul, these numbers represent a positive sign.
The Coaches Poll, with its long-standing history, holds significant weight, and Washington has a storied relationship with it. In 1991, the then-USA Today/CNN Coaches Poll crowned Don James' undefeated Huskies as national champions, while the Associated Press selected Miami, resulting in a split title. This year, UW finds itself sandwiched between Tennessee and SMU, a seemingly sensible position as Fisch continues to elevate the talent level in Montlake.
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One surprising voice of optimism comes from George Wrighster III, a former Oregon Duck and NFL player who hosts The Unafraid Show. Unlike many of his alma mater's faithful, Wrighster has shown respect for the rival Huskies, ranking them at No. 13, between USC and Ole Miss. He also places Oregon at No. 1, a bold prediction. Meanwhile, CBS Sports' Elliott, from the Cover3 podcast, has the Huskies at No. 19, between SMU and Penn State, with Oregon also topping his list. Whether this is the year of the Ducks remains to be seen.
A refreshing aspect of these three polls is the absence of teams that are obvious stretches for inclusion, such as California, UCLA, or Oklahoma State. Each of those programs has undergone coaching changes and complete roster overhauls, making them attractive picks for some pollsters who couldn't resist the allure of change. However, the more measured rankings for Washington reflect a steadier assessment of their current standing.