The Washington Huskies had a terrific yr in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as head coach.
On prime of that, QB Michael Penix Jr. is again and needs to be a preferred decide among the many Heisman Trophy candidates.
The Pac-12’s 2023 soccer schedule was formally launched on Wednesday morning on the Pac-12 Community.
Washington didn’t have USC on the schedule final season, however this yr the Huskies have the Trojans, Utah, and Oregon.
The Apple Cup is the ultimate recreation of the season, and the nonconference slate isn’t very straightforward for the Huskies.
Here’s a have a look at the opponents and dates for Washington in 2023. It’s an attention-grabbing comparability with USC on a number of ranges:
SEPTEMBER 2: VS BOISE STATE BRONCOS
Sep 3, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Taylen Inexperienced (10) throws the ball throughout the second half in opposition to the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington is clearly difficult itself out of convention. This isn’t a cupcake opener, not like USC’s in opposition to San Jose State.
SEPTEMBER 9: VS TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE
Nov 26, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane security Jehlen Cannady (2) celebrates after the sport in opposition to the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports activities
Not fairly a cupcake recreation, however it needs to be very manageable for U-Dub.
SEPTEMBER 16: AT MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Kamren Fabiculanan (13) defends a move in opposition to Michigan State Spartans tight finish Daniel Barker (9) throughout the fourth quarter at Alaska Airways Area at Husky Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports activities
That is the again finish of a home-and-home association with Michigan State. The Spartans weren’t good final yr. Will they be meaningfully higher in 2023?
SEPTEMBER 23: VS CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
Sep 10, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears cornerback Isaiah Younger (41) celebrates with linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (10) and cornerback Collin Gamble (21) after intercepting a move to finish the sport in opposition to the UNLV Rebels at FTX Area at California Memorial Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports activities
You’ll be able to see that the Pac-12 schedule is backloaded for the highest groups. It begs the query: Why couldn’t the convention have created at the very least one or two high-profile video games earlier within the season?
SEPTEMBER 30: AT ARIZONA
Oct 1, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura (7) smiles after a play in opposition to the Colorado Buffaloes within the first half at Arizona Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports activities
The state of Arizona has repeatedly been a stumbling block for Washington. Recall that the Huskies’ loss to Arizona State final yr price them a spot within the Pac-12 Championship Sport, perhaps even the School Soccer Playoff.
OCTOBER 14: VS OREGON
Nov 12, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a move throughout the first half in opposition to the Oregon Geese at Autzen Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports activities
That is the place Washington will get one thing USC didn’t: The Huskies are off on Oct. 7, one week earlier than the Oregon recreation. USC doesn’t get per week off earlier than any of its huge video games in 2023. The Pac-12 Championship Sport just isn’t one in all its 12 locked-in video games. That could be a conditional thirteenth recreation depending on USC incomes its means there. Washington will get an off week earlier than a recreation which is assured to occur. There’s a giant distinction.
OCTOBER 21: VS ARIZONA STATE
September 17, 2022; Tempe, Arizona; USA; Arizona State Solar Devils defensive again Kejuan Markham (12) returns an interception in opposition to the Jap Michigan Eagles throughout a recreation at Solar Satan Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Patrick Breen-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington will get a simple recreation one week after a tough recreation. USC’s solely straightforward recreation after a tough recreation is the Oct. 28 Cal recreation one week after the Oct. 21 Utah recreation.
OCTOBER 28: AT STANFORD
Sep 10, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee (18) throughout the first quarter in opposition to the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington has been brutally dangerous on The Farm. Can the Huskies cease the Palo Alto Curse?
NOVEMBER 4: AT USC
Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts throughout the first half in opposition to the Tulane Inexperienced Wave within the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington performs Stanford the week earlier than USC. USC performs Cal the week earlier than this recreation. This is among the few spots the place USC just isn’t positioned at a singular drawback on the schedule.
NOVEMBER 11: VS UTAH
Oct 27, 2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham sings the varsity combat music together with his crew after a recreation in opposition to the Washington State Cougars at Gesa Area at Martin Stadium. Utah received 21-17. Necessary Credit score: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington has USC and Utah in back-to-back November weeks.
USC has Washington and Oregon in back-to-back November weeks.
That is the place Oregon’s schedule benefit actually turns into obvious.
NOVEMBER 18: AT OREGON STATE
Dec 19, 2020; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith walks the sideline throughout the first half in opposition to the Arizona State Solar Devils at Reser Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington’s November is brutal. That is additionally the place the Huskies’ slate is more durable than Oregon’s. USC’s schedule in November — Washington, Oregon, UCLA — can be very, very robust and demanding. Washington’s is barely more durable.
NOVEMBER 25: VS WASHINGTON STATE
Sep 17, 2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) scrambles out of the pocket in opposition to the Colorado State Rams within the second half at Gesa Area at Martin Stadium. Washington State received 38-7. Necessary Credit score: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports activities
Washington does have the hardest November schedule within the Pac-12. Nobody ought to debate this.