Washington: Best-case, worst-case scenarios in 2012

With games against LSU, Stanford, Oregon and USC, the first seven weeks of the season could make or break Washington's year.

Best-case scenario: In week 2, Washington goes down to Baton Rouge, La., and upsets the Honey Badger-less LSU Tigers. Washington then follows up the LSU shocker with a win over Stanford, before being brought back to earth with consecutive losses to Oregon and USC. After playing four, top-25 teams in six weeks, the Huskies look at the rest of their schedule and laugh. Washington then proceeds to run the table in the final six weeks, which includes a 71-70 shootout win over Mike Leach's Washington State Cougars in the Apple Cup. A 10-2 record and BCS bowl berth earn Steve Sarkisian a 15-year contract extension.

Worst-case scenario: Keith Price gets dinged up in the opener against San Diego State and the season goes downhill from there. After losses to LSU, Stanford, Oregon and USC in the season's first seven weeks, Washington is left beaten up and battered. Oregon State, Cal, Utah and Washington State all take advantage of the undermanned Huskies. Sarkisian fires defensive assistant and former Cal coach Tosh Lupoi after the team's loss to the Golden Bears. Washington finishes dead last in the Pac-12 North with a record of 4-8 overall and 2-7 in league play.

Most-likely scenario: Washington gets through its opening six games with a 3-3 record. The Huskies upset either Stanford or Oregon and stay in the Pac-12 North Division race. The team then navigates through the season's final six games with a 4-2 record, putting the Huskies at 7-5. A 7-5 record may not seem like much, but with the schedule Washington plays this season, any record good enough to earn a bowl bid would have to be considered a success.

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