Where Does UW Fit? Analyzing Their Position in the Bowl Picture
As the Washington Huskies approach their regular-season finale against No. 1 Oregon, their bowl game prospects are becoming more defined, with just one week of games remaining. Washington is already bowl-eligible, and their fate includes at least one more game, a high-stakes match against the Ducks at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
While the Huskies enjoyed a bye week, the latest round of games across the country has provided more clarity on where Washington could end up in the bowl selection process. Washington head coach Jedd Fisch emphasized the need for patience as other factors will come into play. “We’ll just wait and see how it plays out,” Fisch remarked. “I think there’s a lot more that goes into it other than our game against Oregon.”
It’s important to remember that Washington, along with other former Pac-12 teams, is still tied to the bowl games that had agreements with the old conference through 2025. These bowls will select teams in a set order, including the prestigious College Football Playoff (CFP), the Alamo Bowl, the Holiday Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl, the Sun Bowl, the LA Bowl, and the Independence Bowl.
Recent developments have altered the bowl picture slightly. One notable change came from No. 25 Colorado, whose hopes for a Big 12 championship and a potential CFP berth took a hit after a surprising 37-21 loss to Kansas. The Buffaloes, once positioned to compete for the conference title with a straightforward path, now must win their final regular-season game against Oklahoma State and hope for other results to fall in their favor. This loss has complicated their road to the conference championship.
On the flip side, No. 16 Arizona State strengthened its position for a potential Big 12 championship appearance by defeating No. 19 BYU 28-23. The Sun Devils, BYU, Colorado, and No. 18 Iowa State all sit at 6-2 in the Big 12, and if all four teams win their regular-season finales, Arizona State and Iowa State will face off for the conference title, based on the Big 12’s tiebreaker rules. Arizona State’s final game is against Arizona in the Territorial Cup this weekend.
Fisch also pointed out that the outcomes in the Big 12 will affect Washington’s bowl placement. He specifically referenced Arizona State and Colorado’s chances of making it to the Big 12 championship game, which could impact the Huskies’ standing. If either of those teams joins Oregon in the CFP, it would push other teams, including Washington, up in the selection order.
Meanwhile, several teams were eliminated from bowl contention following recent losses. Arizona and Utah both ended their postseason hopes after defeats to TCU and Iowa State, respectively. UCLA also joined the ranks of eliminated teams after falling to USC in a rivalry matchup. On the positive side, USC secured bowl eligibility with their win, while California extended its postseason streak by defeating Stanford. Oregon State, which kept its bowl hopes alive with a win over Washington State, still needs to defeat Boise State to officially become bowl-eligible.
For Washington, their bowl destination largely hinges on the outcome of the Big 12 championship race. Fisch noted that Oregon is almost guaranteed a spot in the CFP, regardless of the result of the Washington game. However, if Arizona State or Colorado makes the championship, teams will be moved up in the selection process. Since former Pac-12 teams no longer share a conference, bowl executives are free to make selections based on factors such as fan travel, team history, and matchups. This makes it possible for Washington and USC, who are likely to enter bowl season with similar records (6-6), to compete for the same bowl spots, with bowl executives deciding which team fits their needs better. For instance, the Las Vegas Bowl might prefer USC due to its proximity to Los Angeles, while other bowls could prioritize Washington for different reasons.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s games, Washington fans should keep an eye on several key matchups. Arizona State is in a win-and-in situation for the Big 12 championship game, while Colorado’s path is more complicated, needing a win and other teams to lose in order to advance. Additionally, if the Big 12 fails to secure a CFP spot, it could further affect Washington’s chances, especially since the conference’s top teams are ranked below other major conferences.
USC’s game against Notre Dame is another important one for Huskies fans to watch. A USC win, combined with a Washington loss, could push the Trojans ahead of the Huskies in bowl selections. California’s game against No. 9 SMU is also noteworthy, as Cal has had several close losses this season and a victory over SMU could elevate their bowl standing, potentially affecting Washington’s own positioning.
Ultimately, Washington can control its own destiny by defeating Oregon, which would not only boost the Huskies’ bowl prospects but also increase their chances of securing a more favorable postseason spot. As Fisch put it, the Huskies aim to “control our own destiny” with a strong performance against the Ducks. He added, “Then we’re going to out there and try to make that a championship month of December and a championship game wherever we go.”
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