Breaking: Washington Huskies football left just outside of US LBM Honest Man Poll preseason top 25

As we gear up for the 2024 college football season, a pressing question arises: Are Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies being overlooked? It’s a valid concern, especially since neither the coaches’ poll nor the AP poll has last year’s runner-up in their preseason top 25 rankings.

This situation might seem strange, but it’s not entirely surprising. The Huskies are essentially a new team compared to last season, with significant changes in both coaching staff and player roster. This transformation has led to a lack of recognition, and it remains to be seen if this oversight will affect their performance.

In the latest preseason coaches poll, Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs hold the top position, followed by Ohio State and Oregon. The Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide round out the top five, while Ole Miss and Notre Dame occupy the sixth and seventh spots, respectively. Michigan, despite also undergoing considerable changes, has managed to secure the eighth position, with Penn State and Florida State closing out the top ten.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

3. Oregon Ducks

4. Texas Longhorns

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

6. Ole Miss Rebels

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

8. Michigan Wolverines

9. Penn State Nittany Lions

10. Florida State Seminoles

11. Missouri Tigers

12. LSU Tigers

13. Utah Utes

14. Clemson Tigers

15. Tennessee Volunteers

16. Oklahoma Sooners

17. Kansas State Wildcats

18. Oklahoma State Cowboys

19. Miami Hurricanes

20. Texas A&M Aggies

21. Arizona Wildcats

22. NC State Wolfpack

23. USC Trojans

24. Kansas Jayhawks

25. Iowa Hawkeyes

Interestingly, while Washington is just outside the top 25 in the coaches’ poll—ranked 26th when including teams receiving votes—their absence from the AP rankings is even more pronounced. Given that the Huskies reached the national championship game last season, this lack of recognition is puzzling but understandable given their roster overhaul.

With so many new faces, it will be crucial for Washington to prove their worth on the field this season. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if the Huskies can rise to the occasion and demonstrate that they deserve a spot in the rankings.