Washington: Schedule Breakdown

The Huskies may not have the nation's toughest schedule -- Bruce Feldman says it's the second toughest -- but they definitely have the toughest first-half schedule. In its first six games, Washington will play at No. 1 LSU, at No. 5 Oregon, while hosting No. 3 USC and No. 18 Stanford. As if that's not bad enough, four of Washington's final six games are on the road.

Must-see matchup: at LSU

Unless LSU loses to North Texas in Week 1 – they won't – then that means Washington will be taking on the No. 1 Tigers in Baton Rouge in week 2. This game will be huge for the Huskies, as a win, or even a close loss, will put them on the national radar.

Upset alert: at Washington State

New Cougar coach Mike Leach is always looking to make a statement and nothing would make a bigger statement in Leach's first season than knocking off the Huskies in the Apple Cup.

It's a breeze (easiest stretch): Sept. 15 through Sept. 22 – Portland State, Bye

If you look at Washington's schedule closely, you'll notice they really don't have an easy stretch. You could make a case that the two-game stretch of Arizona and Oregon State in mid-October is an easy one, but Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian wouldn't believe you. The Beavers beat Washington 38-21 last year, while the Wildcats beat the Huskies 44-14 in 2010.

Brutal stretch: Sept. 27 through Oct. 13 – Stanford, at Oregon, USC

As far as Pac-12 schedules go, it really doesn't get any more brutal than this three-week stretch for the Huskies. Washington begins conference play with No. 18 Stanford, then has to follow that up with a game at coaches preseason No. 5 Oregon, followed by a game against No. 3 USC. An 0-3 start in Pac-12 play is not out of the question for Washington. However, if the Huskies can manage to go 2-1 in this stretch, a Pac-12 North division title becomes a realistic goal.

Complete Schedule:

Sept. 1: San Diego State

Sept. 8: at LSU

Sept. 15: Portland State

Sept. 27: Stanford

Oct. 6: at Oregon

Oct. 13: USC

Oct. 20: at Arizona

Oct. 27: Oregon State

Nov. 2: at Cal

Nov. 10: Utah

Nov. 17: at Colorado

Nov. 23: at Washington State

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