My 2024 Washington Huskies preview questions everything this program thought knew about college football. From soaking in the spotlight on the championship stage to opening as +900 underdogs to make the CFP this year, joining the Big Ten and being abandoned by Kalen DeBoer has shaken up the Huskies completely. Here's my full 2024 Washington season preview.
2024 washington huskies national championship odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Washington Huskies | +30000 |
Currently sandwiched between amateurs like SMU and UCF on the oddsboard, Washington isn't even close to being in the national championship conversation.
Of the runner-ups over the last decade, all but two entered with opening odds of +700 or better to snatch the title the following year. The two exceptions being Oregon (+2000) and TCU (+12500). Come on, even the Horned Froggies had better odds following that completely unexpected playoff run in 2022-23 than the Huskies do now.
Kalen DeBoer immediately packed up his office to head to Tuscaloosa and try to fill Nick Saban's shoes in Alabama. Jedd Fisch takes over for Washington after a three-year tenure at Arizona, where he achieved a 16-21 SU record. But, before you throw your hands in the air, let's give some context. The 48-year-old did accomplish a 10-3 record last year, leading the Wildcats to their first bowl win since 2015.
2024 washington huskies win total odds
| Wins | Odds |
|---|---|
| OVER 7.5 Wins | -120 |
| UNDER 7.5 Wins | +100 |
With a win total set at 7.5, oddsmakers are favoring the Huskies to go OVER (-120). However, I'm not convinced.
I see plenty of chances to kick off the year on a win streak with non-threatening matchups against Weber State, Eastern Michigan, Washington State, Northwestern and Rutgers.
But as the most northwestern state, I'm taking into account the travel that comes with the conference alignment. It's bound to have an effect in some form. In the middle of the season, Washington has visits to Iowa (Week 7) and Indiana (Week 8) on their schedule. To lessen the stress, at least Michigan is forced to visit them in Week 6. Regardless, that's expected to be a loss as the Wolverines open as 8.5-point favorites.
Specifically, the second-half of the season is where things get rocky. I'm talking USC, Penn State, UCLA and Oregon in four-straight weeks to cap off the year. That's a ton of losing potential and momentum killers in this schedule.
2024 washington huskies college football playoff odds
| To Make College Football Playoff | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +900 |
| No | -1800 |
Despite being the second-seed in last year's college football playoff, Washington is a +900 long shot to clinch one of 12 spots available this season.
It's a rebuild -- it's that simple.
Fisch hasn't gotten a sniff at the postseason in his four years spent in Division 1, looking to improve that .436 win%. Michael Penix Jr. has moved on to bigger and better, by that I mean praying for Kirk Cousins' downfall in Atlanta. New starting quarterback and senior, Will Rogers, couldn't reach double-digits in the win column with Mississippi State.
No Rome Odunze, no Ja'Lynn Polk and no Dillon Johnson. Everyone that got them to the CFP last season are long gone. Based on the resume of the new faces joining, I don't think any of them have the map to navigate the road to the playoffs, either.
2023 washington huskies betting results
| Team | SU | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Huskies | 14-1 | 7-7-1 | 7-8 |
Part of the reason I backed the Huskies so much last year was because of their tenacity. Nine of their wins last year were decided by 10 points or fewer, including four that were within a field goal. I admired the grit and aggression.
But, let's think about that now.
They had a pass leading quarterback, a running back with over 1,000 yards and a tandem of unstoppable receivers, one of which was the best in the nation. Yet, there was all these close-calls.
If you think I'm going to trust this brand new locker room with my bets? You're sadly mistaken.
